SBU detained the organizer and an active member of a transnational criminal group specializing in large-scale smuggling and sale of hard drugs.

Allegedly, the group included several residents of different regions of Ukraine and citizens of EU countries. The suspects smuggled cocaine into Ukraine for further sale via an extensive network of drug dealers, and in reverse they smuggled cannabis to some EU countries for further sale as well.

The SBU officers detained an active group member at the “Yahodyn” checkpoint in Volyn region during an attempt to smuggle almost 10 kilos of marijuana hidden into a specially-equipped cache inside their SUV.

The SBU operatives also documented two facts of the suspects’ sale of half a kilo of cocaine in different regions of Ukraine.

During the searches of the organizer’s and other group members’ residences, as well as their garages and warehouses in Mykolaiv city, the law enforcement officers seized 10 kilos of cannabis, equipment for its packaging and hiding in the drug dealers’ vehicles.

According to the black market prices the cost of the seized drugs reaches UAH 4,5 million (USD 160,715).

The issue of serving the detainees a suspicion notice and choosing a type of detention is being resolved.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing to bring to justice all the persons involved into the illegal activity.

The operation was carried out by the SBU Main Department for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime jointly with the SBU Office in Mykolaiv region, as well as with the State Fiscal Service and State Border Guard Service units under the supervision of Mykolaiv Regional Prosecutor's Office.