The SSU is fighting against organized crime that threatens Ukraine’s state security. As a result of operations in Kyiv and Cherkasy region, the SSU dismantled powerful criminal groups engaged in drug trafficking.

Among the seized items are wholesale consignments of hard drugs, precursors for illicit drug manufacturing and firearms.

Every month, the organizers of drug trafficking received ‘profits’ of over UAH 2 mln (USD 49,000).

In Kyiv:

The SSU dismantled a scheme of smuggling potent substances, used for production of synthetic drugs, to Ukraine.

During the searches, the SSU uncovered over 4 tons of precursors, stored at commercial warehouses. The black-market value of the seized is almost USD 1 million.

According to the investigation, one of the organizers of the unlawful activity is a director of a Kyiv pharmaceutical company. He established ‘import’ of dimedrol analogues from East Asian countries disguising them as components for cosmetics manufacturing.

To do this, the organizer entered false information in customs declarations.

The received ‘goods’ were secretly sold in industrial volumes, through criminals’ personal connections, including among drug dealers.

The SSU documented the criminal actions of the organizer of this transnational channel.

The individual in question was served a notice of suspicion of crime under Article 201.1 of the CCU. The court is to decide on the measure of restraint.

In Cherkasy region:

The SSU neutralized a criminal organization, which set up an interregional network for massive sale of amphetamine, A-PVP and mephedrone. Eight criminals have been notified of suspicion of committing especially aggravated crimes.

The SSU detained the leader; another three active members of the drug group were detained earlier this year.

The law enforcement identified all persons involved in drug trafficking and documented their crimes.

According to the investigation, the network sold psychotropic drugs in Kyiv, Cherkasy, Donetsk, Odesa, Poltava and Vinnytsia regions.

The drug manufacturing lab was equipped in a private house on the territory of one of the garden societies in the region. The required precursors and equipment were purchased through anonymous Telegram channels and specialized Internet platforms.

To conceal their actions, the offenders sold retail batches through so-called ‘dead drops’, and wholesale - by hidden mail.

During 32 searches at the suspects’ homes and at the drug lab, the SSU found:

• prohibited substances and equipment for their manufacturing worth almost UAH 4 mln (USD 99,000),
• unregistered firearms.

SSU investigators notified 8 offenders of suspicion under the Articles of the CCU:

• 255.1, 255.2 (creation, leadership of a criminal community or criminal organization and participation in it);
• 307.2, 307.3 (illegal production, manufacture, purchase, storage, transportation, sending or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues);
• 311.3 (illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation or sending of precursors)
• 263.1 (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives).

The operations were carried out by the SSU Office in Kyiv and Kyiv region and the SSU Office in Cherkasy region under the procedural supervision of the regional prosecutor’s offices.