Ice Cream with a Surprise: An Unusual Smuggling Scheme Uncovered in Odesa Region.

An unusual smuggling scheme worth about 7 million hryvnias has been uncovered in the Odesa region. This was reported by the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine.

The organizer of the smuggling channel took advantage of information from a local ice cream manufacturer to attempt to illegally deliver tobacco products and alcoholic beverages to European countries, avoiding customs control. He packaged the goods in containers meant for sweets and concealed them under ice cream to evade inspection during customs clearance.

During the investigation, the loading location of the smuggled goods, the route of the vehicle that, according to documents, transported ice cream, as well as individuals involved in the illegal activities were identified. During searches at the 'Orlivka - Isaccea' checkpoint, more than 33,500 packs of cigarettes and almost 13,000 liters of alcohol mixture were found.

Currently, a truck and smuggled goods worth approximately 7 million UAH have been seized. Pre-trial investigations are being conducted under Article 201-4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine 'Smuggling of excise goods'. A complete list of individuals involved in illegal activities is being established.

Previously, cigarettes and wine hidden beneath ice cream in the truck were discovered. This cargo was supposed to be delivered to Israel through the 'Orlivka' checkpoint.

It is noteworthy that a couple suspected of smuggling and selling exotic cat species over the Internet, including white tigers, pumas, and smoke leopards, was arrested on the island of Mallorca. Most of these animals were illegally imported into the European Union from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.