Belarusian customs officers have prevented an attempt to smuggle about 136 kilograms of hashish. According to the State Customs Committee, the cargo was intended for subsequent sale in Belarus and Russia.
In cooperation with their Russian counterparts, eight people were detained during investigative operations carried out in both countries, including the alleged organizers. They are Belarusian and Russian citizens aged 37–40 who, according to officials, acted in prior collusion.
The case concerns 320 bricks of hashish from Poland, hidden in specially equipped compartments of a truck belonging to a Polish carrier transporting alcohol.
During an inspection at a scanning complex, Brest customs officers noticed an unusual darkening on the scan of the lower part of the semi-trailer. A further examination confirmed that compartments had been installed in the floor of the toolboxes.
The substance was sent for expert analysis to the State Committee of Forensic Examinations in the Brest region, which confirmed it was hashish.
The Brest Customs Office has opened a criminal case under Part 2 of Article 328-1 of the Criminal Code of Belarus. In Russia, criminal proceedings have been launched against several suspects under Part 3 of Article 30, Part 5 of Article 228.1, and Part 4 of Article 229.1 of the Russian Criminal Code. The detainees face up to 20 years in prison.
