The Security Service of Ukraine, jointly with the law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Bulgaria and with the assistance of the National Police, has dismantled a transnational smuggling network trafficking hard psychotropic substances into Ukraine and the European Union.

Following an international special operation in Bulgaria, the organiser of the drug trafficking ring was arrested; he had been coordinating the activities of 14 laboratories producing alpha-PVP, mephedrone, amphetamine and precursors within Ukraine and the EU.

The dismantling of the drug ring was made possible by the counterintelligence measures carried out by the SSU, when a pro-kremlin resident of the Kyiv region came to the attention of our Service.

Subsequently, the Security Service established his involvement in the large-scale smuggling of precursors and the operation of a network of drug labs producing psychotropic substances.

The ‘production capacity’ of just one ‘workshop’ alone allowed for the monthly synthesis of over 50 kg of particularly dangerous substances, with a total value of over UAH 2 million (USD 45,000).

Whilst staying in one of the resort towns of the Balkan country, the trafficker recruited at least 30 people into his illegal activities, deploying them across the EU and Ukraine.

Under his coordination, the suspects created an extensive network of clandestine drug laboratories, the output of which was sold by dozens of dealers.

It has been documented that, to smuggle precursors into Ukraine, members of the gang covertly used private hauliers and drivers from logistics companies.

The traffickers disguised the ‘goods’ as car care products and then arranged with drivers on international routes to transport what were supposedly commercial consignments.

Once the precursors had been received in Ukraine, the ‘product’ was sent to the clandestine labs for the production of finished psychotropic substances for sale.

Wholesale shipments of dangerous substances within the European Union were carried out using a similar scheme.

During the special operation, in addition to the organiser of the drug trafficking ring, six of his accomplices were arrested in the Kyiv and Chernivtsi regions.

Searches of the detainees’ premises revealed nearly 150 kg of precursors, equipment for the manufacture and packaging of psychotropic substances, as well as mobile phones containing evidence of the crimes.

The detainees have been notified of suspicion in accordance with the offences committed under the Articles of the CCU:

• 27.5, 305.2, 305.3 (aiding and abetting the smuggling of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues or precursors, committed by an organised group or on a particularly large scale);
• parts 1, 2 and 3 of art. 307 (unlawful production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, transport, dispatch or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues);
• 311.2, 311.3 (the unlawful acquisition, possession, transport, dispatch or sale of precursors, committed by an organised group or on an especially large scale).

In addition, the offences committed by the group’s members are to be classified under Article 255.3 of the CCU (creation, management of, or participation in a criminal association or criminal organisation).

The decision on the group’s organiser’s subsequent extradition to Ukraine is pending. The traffickers face up to 13 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The international investigation is ongoing to bring all those involved in the drug trade to justice.

The operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.