The SBU suppressed activity of an organized criminal group that smuggled medicines of unknown origin and quality, including drugs recommended for blood clotting treatment for COVID-19.

Medicines were delivered to Ukraine by air from Southeast Asia, transported and stored without recommended temperature and sanitary requirements.

According to preliminary findings of the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control, the seized drugs pose a potential threat to life and health.

In addition, SBU officers found that offenders supplied oncology and reproductive system drugs to Ukraine. They sold medicines online and through unlicensed pharmacies.

During searches in the city of Kyiv and in the region, law enforcement officers seized:

• 4200 packages of medicines unlicensed in Ukraine worth almost UAH 6.5 m (USD 232,212);
• USD 66,200 and UAH 65,000 (USD 2,322) in cash;
• bank cards used to pay for medicines;
• computer equipment and other materials with evidence of illegal activity.

The operation was conducted by the SBU Main Directorate for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime jointly with the Main Office of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine in Kyiv under the supervision of the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office with the participation of experts from the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drug Control.