According to FCS Russia, customs officers have disrupted a “hashish smuggling channel from Belarus into Russia”.
The FCS Main Directorate for Combating Smuggling, together with the Federal Security Service, the Belarus State Customs Committee and the Central Operational Customs, thwarted an illegal shipment of the drug from Belarus.
During operational search measures in a non-residential premises in Leningrad Region, officers inspected a lorry carrying paint cans and found 150 dark-brown slabs hidden in six of them.
Forensic testing confirmed 14.5 kg of hashish; the black-market value is estimated at over RUB 43.5 million.
A 40-year-old Russian national was detained; investigators believe he supervised delivery of the consignment for onward sale on instructions from a handler.
A criminal case was opened under subparagraphs “a” and “b”, part 4, Article 229.1 of the Criminal Code (illicit movement of narcotics by an organised group in an especially large amount), which carries a possible life sentence.
