Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced the seizure of approximately 500 kg of cocaine concealed within frozen tuna imported from Ecuador at the port of St. Petersburg. The illicit substance was found in a cargo container transporting legally imported frozen whole tuna at a container terminal in the port, as per the FSB. This discovery is part of a larger trafficking network aimed at smuggling significant amounts of cocaine from Latin America into Russia for distribution.
A Russian national suspected of orchestrating international smuggling activities has been apprehended by the authorities. During a search of the suspect’s residence, law enforcement officers also confiscated digital storage devices containing cryptocurrency wallets holding electronic assets worth around 613,000 US dollars. Additionally, 13 luxury watches valued at over 1.3 million dollars and five luxury vehicles with a combined worth of at least 1.65 million dollars were seized. An investigation into the attempted trafficking of narcotic drugs on a notably large scale has been initiated.
In a separate incident, police officers in the Kizlyar District of Dagestan intercepted a trafficking route involving illegally harvested aquatic biological resources, seizing more than 230 kg of sturgeon. The regional State Traffic Inspectorate reported that officers stopped a Gazelle van driven by a 39-year-old individual for inspection. Subsequent examination of the vehicle’s luggage compartment revealed 233 kg of sturgeon, including the Russian sturgeon species listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter to ascertain all relevant details surrounding the incident.
