Ukrainian police arrest international drug syndicate leaders, seize $20M in drugs

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Police reported the information.

The operation led to the detention of 17 suspects across seven regions of Ukraine. Law enforcement officers also dismantled two drug laboratories that produced over 100 kg of drugs per month, including highly dangerous psychotropic substances such as PVP and mephedrone.

According to the case, the criminals distributed the drugs within Ukraine and smuggled them to Europe and the South Caucasus, disguising them as children's toys and food products.

The suspects allegedly organized supplies of LSD, cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, and other drugs to Ukraine, selling them through specially created Telegram channels. One of these channels ranked among the top five most popular online drug stores in various regions of Ukraine, according to the SBU.

According to the investigation, the organizer of the drug syndicate is a 22-year-old former resident of the Odesa region, who involved dozens of people in the illegal business, both in Ukraine and abroad. Among those involved was the organizer's own grandfather, police say.

During the searches, law enforcement seized nearly 40 kg of drugs and psychotropics, as well as around 1,000 liters of precursors, hash oil, and marijuana extract. The black market value of the seized items is estimated at 20 million UAH. 

 The SBU investigators served the offenders suspicion notices under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• Part 1, 2 of Article 255 (establishment, leadership of a criminal community or criminal organization, as well as participation in it).
• Part 3 of Article 305 (smuggling of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogs or precursors, or counterfeit medicinal products).
• Part 3 of Article 307 (illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation, transfer, or sale of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances).
• Article 317 (organization or maintenance of premises for the illegal use, production, or manufacture of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, or their analogs).

The perpetrators face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

Note: Pursuant to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and shall not be subjected to criminal punishment until his or her guilt is proved by law and established by a court verdict of guilty.