Millions in Seafood Seized in Belarus Smuggling Bust

Smuggling Ring Busted in Belarus: Seafood Worth Over 1 Billion Rubles Seized On May 14, 2025, Belarusian authorities successfully thwarted a large-scale smuggling operation involving red fish and shrimp from the European Union. The State Customs Committee reported that the seized goods had a market value exceeding 1 billion Russian rubles (approximately 42 million Belarusian rubles). The operation involved the arrest of 12 individuals, both Belarusian and Lithuanian citizens. According to Alexander Khvisevich, head of the Belarusian Customs operational department, "During the operational and investigative measures, the property of the perpetrators, including vehicles and currency, was seized, totaling 800,000 Belarusian rubles." The smugglers used forged veterinary certificates from Denmark to attempt to circumvent import regulations. The scale of the operation and the use of fraudulent documents highlight the sophistication of the criminal network. The investigation is ongoing and the suspects face up to 10 years imprisonment on smuggling charges. This successful operation demonstrates the Belarusian authorities' commitment to combating illegal trade and protecting their national interests.