Major Drug Trafficking Ring Exposed in Ukraine
The Prosecutor’s Office of Volyn Oblast has submitted an indictment to the court against nine individuals involved in an illegal organization engaged in the unlawful acquisition, storage, transportation, and sale of highly dangerous psychotropic substances in significant quantities.
Among the accused are three women from Lviv Oblast, the underage son of one of them, two men from Volyn, two residents of Odesa Oblast, and one person from Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
According to the investigation, the organizers established a Telegram channel to facilitate the sale of psychotropic substances using a «drop» method in Volyn and Lviv regions, involving other members of the group. The accused have been linked to 93 episodes of drug-related crimes that occurred between December and February.
During court-sanctioned searches, investigators seized over 8 kilograms of PVP (a type of synthetic drug), mobile phones, bank cards, an SUV, and cash amounting to 20,000 hryvnias. Additionally, one of the accused was found in possession of a defensive fragmentation grenade (RGN), leading to charges of illegal acquisition and storage of explosives without the necessary permissions in accordance with the law.
Currently, five of the accused are in custody, two are under house arrest, and two have been released on bail.
Authorities in Ukraine have made significant strides in dismantling a large-scale drug trafficking operation, leading to legal action against nine individuals accused of engaging in the illegal trade of psychotropic substances. The indictment highlights the seriousness of the offenses committed by this group, involving the unlawful acquisition, distribution, and possession of dangerous drugs.
The group, which includes three women from Lviv Oblast and various residents from other regions, allegedly utilized a Telegram channel to facilitate their operations, employing a method known as «drops» to sell psychotropic substances in both Volyn and Lviv regions. Investigators have traced a staggering 93 drug-related incidents linked to the group within a specified timeframe.
Law enforcement conducted thorough searches, yielding impressive results. During these operations, over 8 kilograms of PVP, a synthetic drug associated with high risks, along with mobile devices, bank cards, an SUV, and a substantial amount of cash, were confiscated. Notably, authorities also discovered an unlicensed fragmentation grenade in the possession of one suspect, resulting in additional charges for the illegal possession of explosives.
As the case unfolds, five individuals remain in custody, while two others are under house arrest. The legal proceedings highlight the ongoing challenges Ukraine faces in combating drug-related crimes and the commitment of law enforcement to tackle such illicit activities head-on. The national ramifications of these actions reflect a broader effort to ensure public safety and to curtail the influence of organized crime within the region’s drug trade.
