The SBU systematically protects the national interests of Ukraine. In the first half of 2021 alone, due to SBU investigations, UAH 18.7 m. (USD 692,600) of fines were imposed on smugglers. The criminals also have to pay to the state budget extra duty (USD 37,3 m.).

At the initiative of the SBU, the assets of 174 legal entities included in the NSDC sanctions lists were blocked. 20 enterprises were deprived of licenses for brokerage activities, five – of licenses for operation of customs warehouses, and three companies were excluded from the list of delivery points.

We recall that the SBU submitted proposals to the National Security and Defense Council on the application of personal economic and other sanctions to counter smuggling.

In the first half of 2021, the SBU exposed violations of customs regulations and seized smuggled goods for UAH 207.6 m. (USD 7.7 m.). Within the initiated 53 pre-trial investigations, law enforcement seized weapons, prohibited substances, wood, cultural values, etc.

The SBU prevented smuggling of antiques to the EU. A group of smugglers illegally exported cultural values to foreign customers via the international postal service. They also entered inaccurate information into declarations. Law enforcement confiscated a collection of antiques worth almost USD 1 m.

SBU officers exposed an organized criminal group engaged in the illegal purchase, mining, processing and sale of amber to the Middle East and East Asia. During 67 searches in the city of Kyiv, Rivne and Kyiv regions, the SBU seized:

• over 1 ton of raw amber;
• almost 500 kg of finished amber;
• processing equipment;
• USD 130,000 and EUR 30,000 in cash;
• mobiles with installed special software for the sale amber;
• draft records;
• 40 water pumps with fire hoses and two vehicles.

The SBU initiated 33 pre-trial investigations to fight against corruption. So far, 40 individuals received suspicion notices.

For instance, the acting head of the Eastern Customs, the head of the Department for Counteracting Customs Offenses of the above-mentioned customs, the head of Lysychansk customs checkpoint and his deputy, who, systematically extorted bribes, received suspicion notices. The officials demanded money from businessmen for the unimpeded customs clearance of goods.

Three employees of a border checkpoint of Zhytomyr Border Detachment received suspicion notices of shielding the illegal import of tobacco products from Belarus via the so-called green corridor in Sarny district, Rivne region.

Since the beginning of 2021, ten officials of the State Border Guard Service, customs and supervisory bodies were sentenced.