Smuggling shipment from Transnistria seized

Despite all attempts to stop the flow of  smuggled goods into Ukraine from neighbouring countries, border guards detain experienced smugglers on a weekly basis, attempting to bring in various cargoes bypassing customs.

Yesterday, 7 February, at around 6 am on one of the sections of the Kodima-Balta highway, a joint reconnaissance group of the National Guard of Ukraine and the Border Guard Service of Ukraine seized a large shipment of smuggled cigarettes and excise stamps for tobacco products of Russian origin, which was being transported in two vehicles, a Mercedes Sprinter and a GAZelle, from the territory of Transnistria.

The would-be criminals brought the cargo in, bypassing Ukrainian customs officers and border guards, causing damage to the budget of Ukraine.

According to preliminary data, the estimated value of the seized cargo is 4 million hryvnia.

The vehicles were driven by three citizens of Ukraine born in 1963, 1964 and 1974. and a citizen of Moldova born in 1987.

The smugglers were handed over to the SBU, a criminal case has been opened, and an investigation is underway.