The SSU and the National Police have prevented large-scale smuggling of hard drugs and psychotropics to the European Union and the Middle East.

As a result of a joint special operation with the Drug Crime Department in Kyiv, Dnipro, Odesa, Cherkasy and Sumy regions, the law enforcement dismantled a criminal organization that manufactured and sold amphetamine, α-PVP, mephedrone and cannabis on an industrial scale.

As a result of simultaneous actions in the oblasts, 5 drug laboratories were shut down and 19 members of the gang were detained.

In addition to prohibited substances, investigators seized a Kalashnikov rifle, a sniper rifle with a silencer, F-1 and RGO combat grenades, and over 1,500 rounds of ammunition for small arms.

Every month, the drug ring produced more than 80 kg of drugs and psychotropics worth up to UAH 40 million (USD 1 million).

The illicit substances were sold through two channels: the first focused on customers from different regions of Ukraine, and the other worked for foreign drug dealers.

To smuggle the narcotics abroad, the criminals hid them in international parcels, disguising as cosmetics or sanitary products.

The SSU detained 3 organizers of the criminal group ‘red-handed’ when they tried to send an α-PVP batch to foreign accomplices.

The operation dismantled the drug labs and prevented creation of a transnational channel for smuggling prohibited substances.

During almost 90 searches at the sites of manufacture, storage and sale of drugs, as well as suspects’ homes and vehicles, the law enforcement found:

• almost 200 kg of psychotropic substances, including α-PVP, mephedrone, amphetamine, cannabis, and precursors;
• equipment and containers for production and packaging;
• records with data on drug trafficking and customers;
• proceeds of crime: UAH 2 million (USD 53,000).

The detainees have been notified of suspicion under the following Articles of the CCU:

• 255.1, 255.2 (creation, management of a criminal community or criminal organization and participation in it);
• 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).

16 members of the criminal organization are in custody. The court has chosen custody with the right to bail as a measure of restraint for 3 other suspects.

The investigation is ongoing.

The operation was conducted by the SSU Office in Cherkasy region under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.