In Dnipropetrovsk region, the Security Service of Ukraine detained a group of methadone dealers.

According to the pre-trial investigation, the group included representatives of the regional national minorities. The group members purchased psychotropics from wholesale suppliers all over Ukraine to resale it in the region. They sold drugs to drug addicts using caches. In order to shield their illegal activity, the offenders received money in bank accounts. Allegedly, they have been conducting illegal business for two years. Drug dealers sold methadone for more than UAH 500,000 million (USD 17,900) each month.

The law enforcement officers detained four members of the group in Kamianske and Nikopol cities in accordance with Art. 208 of the Criminal Procedural Code of Ukraine on preparation for drugs sale.

Within the initiated criminal proceedings, the law enforcement officers conducted 5 searches in offenders’ residences and vehicles in Dnipro, Kam’ianskyi and Nikopol cities. SBU operatives seized the packed psychotropics, mobile phones, bank cards, cash and jewellery.

The detainees received a notice of suspicion of illegal production, making, purchasing, storage, transportation, sending or sale of narcotics, psychotropic substances or their analogues. The issue of choosing a type of detention is being settled.

Investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the case and to bring to justice other people involved in the drug trafficking.

The operation was carried out jointly with the National Police investigators under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor's Office of Dnipropetrovsk region.