Border guards thwarted tobacco smuggling operation

Illegal transportation of a large batch of tobacco products across the border was stopped last night by border guards of the Mukachevo detachment. 

While patrolling the assigned area of the "Velyka Palad" department, border guards saw a minibus and an SUV near the border. Both were Mitsubishi brand vehicles. There were a large number of packages wrapped in black polythene near the vehicles. 

The border guards immediately began actions to stop the offense. In their turn, the drivers of the cars tried to escape from the border guards making dangerous maneuvers that threatened the lives and health of the servicemen. The border guards made warning shots in the air, but since the smugglers ignored the lawful requests of the police, the border guards fired several more shots in the direction of the fugitives. The SUV driver continued driving. Despite the damage to the wheel, he managed to escape. Law enforcement officers are currently establishing his whereabouts. The second car and the driver were detained by the border guards. Reports of an administrative offense under Art. 185-10 and Art. 204-1 of the CAO were drawn up against him. 

The offenders planned to smuggle 104 boxes of tobacco to neighboring Hungary. Border guards handed over the cigarettes to the SFS employees.

Press service of Mukachevo border guard detachment