The SBU blocked activity of an interregional ethnic group that sold methadone in the city of Kyiv.

Allegedly, the organized group consisted of up to 10 members from different regions of the country. The offenders sold methadone in Kyiv using caches.

The perpetrators stored and packed the drugs in their residences in Cherkasy region. After, their drug couriers transported it to the capital. The group members searched for clients through their accomplices in the city of Dnipro, who offered drugs in private groups of the popular messengers.

The offenders received money from the drug business on their bank cards.

Allegedly, the monthly “profit” was almost UAH 3 million (USD 110,000). The group has been operating since the beginning of 2020.

During the searches of the suspects' residences in Kyiv, Dnipro cities and in Cherkasy Region, the SBU officers found a consignment of packaged methadone and other evidence of illegal activity.

The law enforcement with involvement of a task force of CSO “A” detained the organizer and three active members of the group.

The issue of serving the offenders suspicion notices and choosing a type of detention is being resolved.

The investigation is ongoing upon the fact of illegal production, making, purchasing, storage, transportation, sending or sale of narcotics, psychotropic substances or their analogues.

The operation was conducted by the SBU Main Directorate in Kyiv and Kyiv Region jointly with Darnytsia Police Department of the Main National Police Directorate in Kyiv under the supervision of Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office.