The Security Service and National Police have carried out a series of special operations, resulting in the arrest of 25 organizers of drug trafficking in several regions of Ukraine. Within 24 hours, the law enforcement neutralized seven groups selling wholesale quantities of heavy psychotropic drugs.

Primarily, the drug networks were involved in dealing so-called ‘salts’ (alpha-PVP), which are addictive after just one use and are five times more dangerous than other types of synthetic psychostimulants.

In Zhytomyr region, a drug lab manufacturing psychotropic drugs on an industrial scale was shut down. The traffickers set up a clandestine workshop in a private house in Zviahel.

The group sold the finished ‘product’ through a specially created Telegram channel and delivered it by post.

Four drug trafficking organizers were caught red-handed as they were sending a new batch of psychotropic drugs worth 4.5 million UAH to customers.

In Kirovohrad, Cherkasy and Poltava regions, the SSU and National Police apprehended organizers of a transregional drug gang.

To find customers, they used internet platforms and channels in messenger apps. After receiving orders, they left the drugs for the buyers in so-called ‘dead drops’.

Two drug labs that produced up to 4 kg of psychotropic drugs for sale every month were liquidated in Cherkasy. As a result of the operation, three organizers of the drug business were detained.

In Kharkiv, another clandestine workshop producing mephedrone was uncovered. During the investigation, three suspects were detained for selling drugs in the region.

During a search, almost half a ton of precursors, 7 kg of psychotropic substances and laboratory equipment for manufacturing prohibited substances were seized.

In Lviv, six perpetrators were exposed. They smuggled russian medicines containing psychotropic substances into Ukraine. The dealers created a website and a call center to advertise and sell the illegally imported substances.

In Sumy region, three organizers of local drug production were detained – they manufactured at least 20 kg of psychotropic substances monthly.

In Khmelnytskyi region, another drug distribution channel organized by five members of a local criminal group was shut down.

All the detainees have been notified of suspicion of committing crimes under the Articles of the CCU, according to actions each of them committed:

• 307.2, 307.3 (illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation, sending or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues);
• 317.2 (organization or maintenance of places for the illegal use, production or manufacture of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues);
• 311.2 (illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation or sending of precursors);
• 320.2 (violation of established rules for circulation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues or precursors).

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

The operations were carried out by the SSU Offices in Kharkiv, Sumy, Kirovohrad, Zhytomyr, Cherkasy, Khmelnytskyi and Lviv regions in cooperation with the National Police under the procedural supervision of regional Prosecutor’s Offices.