In Dnipro city, the Security Service of Ukraine detained members of an organized criminal group who smuggled large batches of medicines containing precursors from a North African country.

The SBU operatives found that before the quarantine restrictions were imposed, couriers imported precursors on regular flights. With the resumption of flights, the dealers were going to "restore" their drug business. After the drug precursors were smuggled to Ukraine, the dealers produced the psychotropic substance methamphetamine in specially equipped laboratories. The suspects sold the "stuff" through an extensive network of dealers in Dnipropetrovsk region. The monthly volume of precursors smuggled amounted to 40-60 kilos, and the income of the drug dealers was almost UAH 5 million (USD 180,000).

During the searches of the suspects’ residences, the law enforcement seized almost ten kilos of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, more than 100 grams of methamphetamine, more than five liters of precursors, seven firearms, five hand grenades and ammunition of various calibers.

As of now, five members of the criminal group were served notices of suspicion of illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation or shipment of precursors (Art. 311 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The issue of choosing custody as a form of detention 9according to Art. 214 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine is being settled.

The investigation is ongoing, the issue of serving all the persons involved notices of suspicion of creation a criminal organization (Art. 255), smuggling of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues or precursors (Part 3 of Art. 305) and illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation, shipment or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues (Part 3 of Art. 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) is being settled.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of the Prosecutor's Office of Dnipropetrovsk region.