The Security Service and the National Police have neutralised a criminal group that established a transnational channel for smuggling hard drugs from Latin America to Ukraine. The monthly turnover amounted to almost half a million US dollars.

As a result of a special operation in Kyiv, the organiser and 15 participants of this transnational drug ring were simultaneously detained. They supplied wholesale shipments of cocaine from their accomplices in Latin American drug cartels to Ukraine.

After importing the narcotics into our country, the criminals packaged them in plastic one-dose zip bags in order to sell them through a network of drug couriers.

To pack cocaine on an industrial scale covertly, the members of the group rented several apartments in different districts of Kyiv. The packaged ‘product’ was disguised as packs of wet wipes.

The dealers delivered the drugs to customers on a ‘hand-to-hand’ basis by their cars, disguised as taxis.

To find clients, the criminal group set up two specialised Telegram channels where they offered cocaine and anonymously negotiated its price and delivery.

According to the investigation, the organiser of the group is a 40-year-old repeat offender from Kherson region who had previously served time for drug trafficking.

He involved his friends with criminal background, particularly related to drug smuggling and distribution, in the trafficking.

During 55 searches, more than 2 kg of cocaine ready for sale, mobile phones for communicating with customers, bank cards, as well as laptops and written records with evidence of the crimes were seized from the suspects.

The detainees have been declared suspects under Articles 307.1, 307.3 of the CCU (illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation, transfer, or sale of narcotic drugs, committed upon prior conspiracy, by a group).

The decision on further qualification of their actions as drug smuggling is pending.

The suspects are in custody and face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Kyiv and Kyiv Region jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of Kyiv Region Prosecutor’s Office.