Ukrainian drug traffickers disguised cocaine as toys and groceries, smuggling psychotropics from Canada to Europe
Kyiv • UNN
Law enforcement officers exposed an international drug smuggling channel from Canada to Europe via Ukraine. Psychotropic drugs worth UAH 20 million disguised as children's products were seized.
An international drug smuggling channel in children's goods and food was exposed by law enforcement officers, who seized more than 100 kg of psychotropic drugs. UNN reports with reference to the Prosecutor General's Office, customs and border guards.
Details
Two organizers and 15 members of a criminal organization involved in the trafficking of especially dangerous drugs were served a notice of suspicion. They are suspected of smuggling, illegal acquisition, storage, transportation with intent to sell psychotropic substances, as well as maintaining places for the illegal manufacture of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues (Part 1, 2 of Article 255, Part 2, 3 of Article 305, Part 3 of Article 307, Part 2 of Article 317 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The organization was headed by a former resident of Odesa region, involving dozens of accomplices from Ukraine and other countries. Pre-trial restraints have been imposed on them, except for two who are about to be put on the wanted list. The offenders face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
The suspects organized the smuggling of cannabis and cocaine from Canada to Ukraine, as well as their further transportation to Moldova and Georgia.
The drugs were delivered via international shipments and disguised in boxes of children's goods, dishes and food. After receiving the "goods", they were packaged and sent for further sale throughout the country using the services of a postal operator
In one of the regions, the suspects organized two drug laboratories. Every month, they produced over 100 kg of synthetic drugs, including particularly dangerous psychotropic substances - PVP and mephedrone.
During the searches, the SBU seized narcotic and psychotropic substances worth over UAH 20 million - cannabis, hashish oil, cocaine, amphetamine, ecstasy, LSD, MDMA, PVP, precursors and equipment for their manufacture and packaging. Subsequently, they were sold through Telegram channels, except for those that were transported to Europe and the Caucasus under the guise of children's toys and food. The value of the seized goods at black market prices reaches UAH 20 million.
Recall
A group of drug dealers who supplied cocaine in coffee packages and sold it via Telegram were exposed in the capital . During the searches, 800 g of cocaine, 2 kg of cannabis, and UAH 5 million were seized.
