Novorossiysk customs officers have intercepted a channel of smuggling pregabalin in packages from China. The officers conducted operational and investigative measures and discovered that an organized group of individuals in Novorossiysk had been engaged in criminal activities related to the illegal transportation of potent substances across the customs border of the Eurasian Economic Union. The substances were intended for further distribution through hidden compartments. The criminals were apprehended after receiving four packages containing a total of 6 kg of capsules. Expert analysis confirmed the presence of pregabalin in the seized samples. The criminals later admitted to receiving similar packages in the past. Additionally, during searches at the residences of the group members, 248.56 grams of pregabalin were found and confiscated. Criminal cases have been initiated against the participants of the organized criminal group under Article 226.1, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The cases have been forwarded to the Investigative Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in Novorossiysk for preliminary investigation.
It should be noted that the illegal transportation of potent substances across the state border of the Russian Federation (customs border of the Eurasian Economic Union) can be classified as a crime under Article 226.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation («smuggling of potent substances»). This article provides for a punishment of up to 12 years of imprisonment with a fine of up to 2 million rubles or an amount equal to the convict’s income for a period of up to 5 years.
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