The SSU has shut down a channel for smuggling precursors for psychotropic drugs into Ukraine.

A resident of Khmelnytskyi region, who already has a criminal record for smuggling of prohibited substances, is involved in organizing the scheme.

Together with other members of the criminal group, the woman smuggled wholesale consignments of pseudoephedrine, a component of several types of psychotropic substances, from the Middle East to Ukraine.

The traffickers hoped to make about USD 70,000 monthly.

The perpetrators disguised the illicit substance in boxes of laundry powder.

The packages were delivered to Ukraine through international passenger transport drivers, who unwittingly transported the ‘powder’.

After the precursors were brought to Ukraine, the members of the group sold them to drug labs.

As a result of the operation in Rivne region, the SSU detained the organizer who smuggled a 13.5 kg consignment of pseudoephedrine worth over UAH 3 million.

The investigation established that the suspect personally sent the ‘product’ from abroad and then controlled its sale in Ukraine.

During the searches in the suspect’s home, the SSU found:

• drug-containing pills;
• money, probably obtained by criminal means;
• cars used to deliver precursors to ‘clients’.

The SSU has notified the detainee of suspicion under Article 305.3 of the CCU (smuggling of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues or precursors in especially large amounts).

The suspect is in custody and faces up to 12 years in prison. The investigation is ongoing.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Rivne Office under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.