SSU continues to systematically combat transnational smuggling organizations. Since the beginning of the year, cocaine and heroin wholesales valued at USD 10 m, the components of military ammunition and more than 1.5 tons of amber have been seized from the perpetrators.

Allegedly, pre-trial investigations are underway to bring to justice 55 suspects. 50 malefactors were prosecuted.

SSU prevented:

smuggling a record consignment of heroin to EU countries. The organizer and three active members of an international smuggling organization from a Middle East country were detained.

During the searches, more than 1 ton of heroin was seized from the perpetrators.

Blocked:

smuggling route for the transit of drug wholesales from Latin America to the EU. In Odesa, three organizers of the drug business were detained during the special operation.

Almost 60 kg of cocaine were seized from the perpetrators, valued at USD 10 m at black market.

According to Interpol, the detainees are involved in the activities of one of the world's most powerful criminal organizations Ndrangheta.

SSU shut down another smuggling scheme of cocaine jointly with the Spanish Civil Guard. In Kyiv region, an organizer of international smuggling organization, the citizen of South Caucasus, was detained.

The systematic work to block the smuggling of military means of destruction is also ongoing:

In Kyiv:

SSU detained the organizer of the smuggling of the components of automatic weapons. The perpetrator used them for refurbishment into military foreign-made submachine guns for the organized crime.

In Zhytomyr region:

The smuggling scheme of firearms components was blocked. Among the seized items are the components for Kalashnikov assault rifles, machine guns and sniper rifles.

SSU shut down a powerful amber smuggling scheme to the Middle East and East Asia. The consignment of raw amber and jewelry made of amber for over UAH 30 m (USD 1,119 400 m) was seized.

The smuggling scheme of digital products of well-known brands to Ukraine was shut down. The smugglers tried to smuggle a consignment of gadgets worth over UAH 30 m (USD 1,119 400 m) through the Boryspil customs post.

The smuggling scheme of tobacco products wholesales to Ukraine was blocked. At the Porubne checkpoint in the Chernivtsi region, law enforcement officers seized more than 20 tons of smuggled cigarettes.

Last March, the SSU exposed an organized crime group of smugglers of cultural property. The collection of antiques prepared for the illegal smuggling abroad for almost USD 1 m was seized from the perpetrators.

Among the seized are armor, gold and silver coins from the times of Kyivska Rus.

The investigations are underway to bring to justice all persons involved in smuggling schemes based on the revealed facts of illegal activity.