SSU busts massive drug lab in Dnipro ‘protected’ by local law enforcement officer
The SSU and the SBI have dismantled a powerful group of drug traffickers engaged in industrial production and massive sale of methamphetamine in Dnipro.
Every month, the criminals produced wholesale batches of psychotropic drugs worth total of up to UAH 5 mln (USD 121,500).
The investigation established that the drug business was ‘protected’ by a local law enforcement officer, member of this criminal group. It was he who warned his accomplices about operations related to combating drug trafficking.
In addition, the official ‘assisted’ the group in purchasing precursors needed for manufacturing methamphetamine. To do this, he used his personal connections, including in criminal circles.
According to the investigation, the criminal organization was created by a resident of Dnipro. He involved another five locals, including his wife, in the unlawful activity.
The offenders set up large-scale production of psychotropic drugs. The lab was equipped in a private household of one of the members.
To obtain raw materials, they bought from their accomplices smuggled medicines containing the necessary precursors.
The drug traffickers packed the finished ‘goods’ and offered them to their customers through anonymous messenger apps and specialized Internet platforms. To hand the drugs to clients, they used a branched layout of ‘dead drops.’
The SSU documented the group’s activity.
During the searches of the suspects’ homes and the ‘workshop’, the law enforcement found:
- a batch of banned substances;
- equipment for their production;
- mobile phones and records with evidence of crimes;
- proceeds of crime: USD 20,000 in cash.
All six offenders have been notified of suspicion of committing crimes under the Articles of the CCU:
- 255 (creation, management of a criminal community or criminal organization, as well as participation in it),
- 307 (unlawful production, manufacture, purchase, storage, transportation, sending or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues).
Court is to decide on custody as a measure of restraint.
The pre-trial investigation is underway.
The SSU Office in Dnipropetrovsk region carried out the operation jointly with the SBI and the National Police under the procedural supervision of Dnipropetrovsk Region Prosecutor’s Office.