The Security Service and the National Police have dismantled an organized criminal group that was selling drugs and heavy psychotropic substances throughout Ukraine.

As a result of a special operation in Kyiv, Kherson, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk and Khmelnytskyi regions, 12 members of the drug ring were exposed.

They set up a complete ‘cycle’ of the drug business: from large-scale production to distribution through an extensive network of dealers.

The gang used rented warehouse premises in several regions of Ukraine to manufacture and store the narcotics.

To sell the finished ‘product’, the syndicate created special online stores on Telegram.

Anonymous chats in messenger apps were used to conceal communication.

Payments from customers were made exclusively through cryptocurrency transactions.

The couriers delivered ‘orders’ using so-called ‘dead drops’ or postal services.

During the searches of the suspects’ homes and drug labs, over 30 kg of psychotropic substances and 5,700 liters of precursors, as well as other chemical compounds, as well as smartphones and bank cards with evidence of the crimes, were seized.

44 explosives were also found in the possession of the perpetrators and sent for examination.

The individuals involved have been notified of suspicion under the Articles of the CCU:

• 255.1, 255.2 (creation, management of, and participation in a criminal organization);
• 28.4, 307.3 (illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, sending or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues, committed by a criminal organization);
• 28.4, 311.3 (illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation or transfer of precursors, committed by a criminal organization);
• 28.4, 317.2 (organizing or maintaining places for illegal production or manufacture of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues, committed by a criminal organization).

The suspects are in custody and face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Offices in Kherson and Odesa regions jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.