The Security Service of Ukraine, jointly with the Prosecutor General’s Office, has dismantled a large-scale scheme involving the manufacture and sale of counterfeit weight-loss medicine that was distributed across entire territory of Ukraine.

As a result of the operation, the law enforcement exposed the activities of a criminal organisation comprising more than 70 individuals.

According to preliminary findings, the perpetrators made millions of US dollars through the scheme, which they spent on luxury brands, vehicles, and real estate.

The investigation established that the suspects had set up a channel for smuggling into Ukraine an active pharmaceutical ingredient used in a globally renowned weight-loss medicine.

The scheme participants subsequently used this raw material, which was of questionable quality, to manufacture counterfeit medicines intended for weight loss and blood sugar control. They organised the production and storage of these products in unsanitary conditions at a specially equipped clandestine laboratory in the Kyiv region.

The finished products were then handed over by the scheme’s organisers to accomplices who distributed and sold them throughout Ukraine.

It was established that, to promote and sell the illegally manufactured medicines, the perpetrators used specially created online platforms, as well as a network of contacts with medical centres and cosmetology clinics. Through these channels, they misled members of the public by providing counterfeit quality certificates for the products.

During more than 250 searches, evidence of the illegal activities was uncovered, and 27 members of the scheme were detained.

Expert examinations initiated by the Security Service confirmed that the medicine was counterfeit.

All detainees have now been notified of their status as suspects under Articles 28.3 and 321-1.2 of the CCU (falsification of medicinal products or circulation of counterfeit medicinal products committed by an organised group).

The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the offence and bring other individuals involved to justice.

The operation was carried out under the procedural guidance of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office.