The skillful use of Videray mobile mini-scanners allowed Ukrainian border guards to prevent two attempts of cigarette smuggling at the border with Romania. Nearly 1200 packs of tobacco were found hidden in spare car tires and in a fuel tank.

The handheld backscatter X-ray scanners enable law enforcers to perform control procedures faster and more efficiently. As part of the “EU Support in Strengthening Integrated Border Management in Ukraine – Resilience” project, 32 Videray scanners, worth EUR 1.12 mln, were procured and delivered to the State Border Service of Ukraine this year.

Additionally, EU4IBM-Resilience project trained the officers of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine on the use of mobile mini-scanners for the inspection of various types of vehicles in order to prevent smuggling of illicit objects, including small arms and drugs. Ukrainian border guards have mastered the received equipment and are now demonstrating practical results, preventing smuggling across the border.

Background information: The project “EU Support to Strengthening Integrated Border Management in Ukraine – Resilience (EU4IBM-Resilience)” is funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). The project is aimed at building the resilience of the Ukrainian border management agencies during wartime, as well as at supporting further reforms to approximate the border management system of Ukraine to the EU standards in line with the Integrated Border Management Strategy of Ukraine. The project runs from December 2022 until May 2024.