Law enforcement seized drugs worth 20 million UAH, dismantling a criminal group involved in smuggling operations.

The information was provided by the press service of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Additionally, there was a network of drug laboratories operating in the Odesa region, where up to 100 kg of drugs were produced. Cannabis, cocaine, MDMA, PVP, mushrooms, amphetamines, and other substances were not only sold within the territories of Odesa, Kyiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions, but also shipped in bulk to Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and Indonesia.

During a special operation, law enforcement officers detained 17 individuals – the organizers and members of the criminal organization. They also seized over 40 kg of drugs and psychotropics, nearly 1000 liters of precursors, hash oil, and marijuana extract. The value of the seized items on the "black" market amounts to 20 million UAH.

All detainees have been formally charged by investigators. Depending on their role and involvement, their actions are classified under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• Art. 255 (Creation, leadership of a criminal community or criminal organization, as well as participation in it)

• Art. 305 (Smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances),

• Art. 307 (Illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation, mailing, or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, or their analogs)

• Art. 317 (Organization or maintenance of places for illegal use, production, or manufacture of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, or their analogs).

They could face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.