In Zaporizzhia region, the SBU has blocked the smuggling of methadone to the temporarily occupied Donetsk. Drugs were sent to the separatist-held territories not across the contact line, but across the border with Russia. The perpetrators made several parcels every month, the cost of one was almost UAH 4 m (USD 149 500).

An unemployed woman from Kyiv organized the illegal scheme and involved in illegal activities a partner from the temporarily occupied Donetsk.

Allegedly, the perpetrators hid the banned substances in flowerpots and garden sculptures, and smuggled them to accomplices in Russia under the guise of household parcels. The parcels were transferred through minibus drivers.

The drugs were smuggled from Russia to the temporarily occupied Donetsk through the uncontrolled parts of the border, where methadone was packed and sold.

The scheme has been existing for almost a year. Each month the perpetrators smuggled 2-3 consignments of drugs, the cost of one was almost UAH 4 m (USD 149 500) on the black market.

During the special operation, law enforcement officers detained a minibus driver trying to smuggle 1.4 kg of methadone.

The organizer of the scheme was detained and served the suspicion notice for the smuggling of narcotics, psychotropic substances, their analogues or precursors and the illegal production, making, purchasing, storage, transportation, sending or sale of narcotics, psychotropic substances or their analogues.

The operation is ongoing to bring to justice all the individuals involved in the illegal activities.

The operation was carried out by the SBU Office in Zaporizzhia region under the supervision of Regional Prosecutor's Office.