Based on evidence provided by the National Police, members of a drug trafficking organisation who sold methadone across the country are to stand trial
The National Police of Ukraine have announced the completion of a pre-trial investigation into members of a drug trafficking organisation suspected of running a large-scale methamphetamine distribution network across Ukraine.
An indictment against eight members of the group, including the organisers, has been submitted to the Zavodskyi District Court in Mykolaiv.
According to the investigation, the group’s activities were uncovered in June last year by operatives from the Department for Combating Drug Crime, in conjunction with investigators from the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv, under the procedural supervision of the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office.
Law enforcement officers identified two organisers of the scheme. They turned out to be residents of the Cherkasy region aged 33 and 38.
The investigation believes that the group’s members organised the supply of bulk consignments of methadone to the Donetsk and Kherson regions, as well as the retail sale of drugs in various regions of the country.
According to police, the suspects sent over four thousand doses of methadone daily via logistics companies, concealed in second-hand clothing. The drugs were also handed over to customers in person and through so-called ‘workshops’.
Orders were taken via messaging apps, and payment was received onto bank cards belonging to front men, with the funds subsequently transferred to crypto wallets.
According to the investigation, the monthly profit from the illegal activities exceeded five million hryvnias.
The police reported that during the special operation, law enforcement officers carried out 47 searches across seven regions and detained members of the group.
The suspects are charged with establishing and participating in a criminal organisation, as well as the illegal production, storage, transportation and sale of narcotic drugs.
If found guilty, the accused face up to 12 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.
