The SSU jointly with the SBI and the National Police Internal Security Department neutralized a criminal organization specializing in mass sale of psychotropic substances in Dnipropetrovsk oblast.

In this way, the SSU and the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are systemically countering the infiltration of organized crime into law enforcement.

According to the investigation, the group’s activities were coordinated by 4 officials of one of the district departments of the National Police in Dnipropetrovsk region.

The drug gang sold wholesale and retail batches of methamphetamine through an extensive network of dealers.

In one of the city’s car service stations, the criminals set up a ‘stationary point’ for selling meth. There, customers were also allowed to ‘try’ the purchased substance.

Monthly, the organizers of drug trafficking received over UAH 1.5 mln (USD 40,000) in profit.

As a result of an operation with the participation of the SSU Special Operations Centre ‘A’, 9 members of the criminal organization, including the suspected law enforcement officers, were detained.

During over 30 searches at the suspects’ homes and at sites where drugs were sold, investigators uncovered over 50 zip lock plastic bags with methamphetamine as well as other evidence.

The detained offenders have been notified of suspicion of crimes under the Articles of the CCU:

• 255, parts 1, 2, 3 (creation, management of a criminal community or criminal organization and participation in it),
• 27, parts 2, 3, 5; 28.4; 307.3 (illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation, shipment or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues),
• 317.2 (organization or maintenance of places for illegal use, production or manufacture of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues).

Court is to decide on custody as a measure of restraint. The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime, including the drug supply channels.

The suspects are facing up to 13 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Dnipropetrovsk region jointly with the State Bureau of Investigations, the Internal Security Department of the National Police under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.