National Police Operation: Combatting Drug Trafficking
The Special Units of the National Police executed a comprehensive operation to dismantle a criminal group that was legalizing millions in profits from drug trafficking through bank accounts. The criminals organized the large-scale production of precursors for amphetamine, distributing them via postal shipments and an extensive network of 18 drug laboratories across six regions of Ukraine. As a result, over 60 kg of amphetamine was produced and sold monthly, with profits reaching 18 million hryvnias.
This was reported by the press service of the National Police.
The law enforcement agencies uncovered a group involved in the sale of precursors. The leader of the organization was responsible for the continuous supply of raw materials, while his subordinates packed several kilograms of illicit goods daily at temporary apartments, sending them via mail or through "drops," using disposable SIM cards.
Authorities also identified a group engaged in laundering the obtained profits in Kyiv. They recruited citizens to open bank accounts where millions in profits from precursor sales were deposited. More than a thousand fictitious individuals helped withdraw over 200 million hryvnias to two cryptocurrency wallets, which were later cashed out in Cyprus.
Over 300 police officers from various regions participated in the operation to dismantle the drug cartel, with support from the Special Rapid Response Unit and the State Border Guard Service.
During the operation, more than a hundred searches were conducted in ten regions and the capital, resulting in the seizure of luxury cars, over $80,000 in various currencies, 60 kg of cannabis, 7 kg of "a-PVP," 3.5 kg of amphetamine, 900 units of "MDMA," as well as counterfeit bank accounts and SIM cards.
Investigators gathered sufficient evidence and announced suspicions against sixteen members of the drug cartel. They may face charges under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- Part 2 of Article 255 (Creating, leading a criminal community or organization, and participating in it);
- Part 3 of Article 307 (Illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation, or sale of narcotic drugs);
- Part 3 of Article 311 (Illegal production of precursors);
- Part 3 of Article 209 (Legalization (laundering) of property obtained by criminal means).
According to the incriminated articles, the suspects face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
