Belarusian Customs Foils Multi-Million Ruble Seafood Smuggling Ring

Smuggling Ring Busted: Belarusian Customs Seize Millions in Illegal Seafood A major smuggling operation involving the illegal import of red fish and shrimps into Belarus has been thwarted by authorities. The operation, which involved a network of Belarusian and Lithuanian individuals, utilized forged veterinary certificates from Denmark to circumvent import regulations. The scheme involved at least 130 separate shipments, and the total value of the seized goods is estimated to be in the millions of rubles. "This was a sophisticated operation," stated Yuri Savitskiy, Deputy Head of the Grodno Regional Customs. "The smugglers went to great lengths to create false documents and use carriers from the Baltic states to obscure their activities." The investigation led to the arrest of 12 individuals, and the subsequent seizure of property, including vehicles and currency, valued at over 800,000 rubles. Additionally, over 40 Lithuanian and Estonian carriers have been fined for submitting false documents. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to identify any other participants in the scheme. The successful disruption of this smuggling operation highlights the effectiveness of international cooperation in combating illegal trade and protecting consumers.