Ukraine and the United States will jointly fight transnational drug trafficking
The head of the State Border Service of Ukraine Sergey Deineko and the Attaché on Combating Drug Trafficking at the US Embassy in Ukraine Travis Brooks signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
This landmark document, signed at the U.S. Embassy, confirmed the commitment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to mutually beneficial and equal cooperation in countering transnational crimes related to illicit drug trafficking, including their analogues and precursors, as well as related crimes.
As Christina Quinn, who was present at the event, Interim Attorney for United States of America, noted, an important event took place — the signing of a document on which the parties have been actively working for a long time.
“This confirms our work and partnership in the fight against illicit drug trafficking. And it is especially gratifying that this took place in Kyiv with direct participants from the US Administration for Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking,” she said.
The head of the State Border Service of Ukraine thanked for the trust and noted that the United States remains a reliable strategic partner.
“The signing of this Memorandum is another step in strengthening security. The capabilities of our operational units to combat cross-border crime will be greatly enhanced. From now on, we will have the opportunity to more closely exchange and analyze all the necessary information, jointly study methods of concealment of drugs, expose organized criminal groups suspected of involvement in their illegal circulation,” Serhiy Deyneko noted.
He assured that measures to combat drug trafficking, along with the detection of weapons and explosives, in the State Border Service remain a priority.
“Every successful completion of an investigation or operation is due to the fact that we have deprived the criminal group of sources of illicit income and, in some cases, freedom,” said the Drug Enforcement Attache at the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.
Travis Brooks also noted good relations with Ukrainian law enforcement agencies and stated: “We have no closer partner than the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine”
In addition to exchanging information, including on ways to launder money obtained from illicit drug trafficking, Ukrainian and American law enforcement agencies agreed to engage in bilateral law enforcement activities, including joint operations, and jointly expose corrupt persons involved in drug trafficking.
It should be noted that the volume of detected drugs at the state border of Ukraine and the level of risk from their smuggling remain high. In total, more than 170 kg of drugs have been detained at the border since the beginning of this year. The largest number of them is found on the sea channels of communication and on the border with the Russian Federation. The bulk of the detected volume is made up of drugs of plant origin and cocaine.
According to the materials of the State Fiscal Service
