Belarusian customs officials stopped the import of approximately 136 kg of hashish from the European Union.

Photo by the State Customs Committee. News Topics. November 21, Brest. Belarusian customs officers intercepted the import of approximately 136 kg of hashish from the European Union, BELTA reports, citing the State Customs Committee. 

The perpetrators intended to distribute the drugs in Belarus and RUSSIA. "In cooperation with their Russian colleagues, Belarusians and Russians involved in the criminal scheme , acting in collusion, were detained. They attempted to import 320 briquettes of compressed substance from Poland, concealing them in specially equipped hiding places in a truck belonging to a Polish carrier transporting alcoholic beverages," the State Customs Committee reported.

The truck was entering Belarus through the Kozlovichi border crossing. Brest customs officers sent it for inspection using an inspection and screening system. A scan revealed an unusual darkening in the lower area of ​​the semitrailer, along with the Latvian license plates. "During further dismantling, concealment locations were established – drug stashes were found in the floors of the semitrailer's toolboxes. The substance was sent for examination to the State Forensic Expertise Committee for the Brest Region, which confirmed it was hashish," the State Customs Committee noted.

The agency reported that eight participants in the criminal scheme, including those who ordered the hazardous cargo, had been detained. Belarusian specialists conducted the arrest in collaboration with Russian customs officials during operational and investigative activities in both countries. 

"The Brest Customs Office has opened a criminal case against a group of individuals under Part 2 of Article 328-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, while the competent Russian authorities have opened criminal cases against individual participants under Part 3 of Article 30, Part 5 of Article 228.1, and Part 4 of Article 229.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Now, the perpetrators, who are between 37 and 30 years old, face prison sentences of up to 20 years," the State Customs Committee added.