Photo: A large-scale amphetamine production operation was shut down in the Carpathian region
Law enforcement officials in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast have uncovered and dismantled a criminal group that organized the production and distribution of psychotropic substances on a scale unprecedented for the region.
This was reported by Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko.
During the searches, over 165 kg of amphetamine, a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and cash in various currencies were seized.
The drug syndicate consisted of four local residents, including two 18-year-old men, one minor, and their 37-year-old accomplice.
The criminals had established a full cycle of criminal activity: from manufacturing psychotropic substances in specially equipped laboratories to packaging and distributing the “product” via postal services throughout the country.
The special operation involved conducting 24 simultaneous searches at the suspects’ residences and places of business.
In addition to a record-breaking shipment of amphetamine, police found cannabis, 99 ecstasy tablets, professional laboratory equipment, “off-the-books accounting records,” and bank cards used for transactions.
Particular attention was drawn to a discovery in the garage of the scheme’s oldest participant.
In addition to psychotropic substances, an entire arsenal was stored there: two automatic weapons, three handguns, a pump-action shotgun, combat grenades with fuses, and a large quantity of ammunition of various calibers.
Three young members of the group were detained directly at the site of drug production in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
They have already been officially notified of their status as suspects in the illegal production and distribution of psychotropic substances, as well as the use of equipment for their manufacture (Parts 2 and 3 of Article 307, Part 2 of Article 313 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The oldest co-organizer was detained in accordance with Article 615 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. The investigation charges him with the illegal trafficking of psychotropic substances on an especially large scale under Part 3 of Article 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which provides for severe punishment with confiscation of property.
The prosecutor’s office has already filed a motion with the court to impose pretrial measures on all suspects.
For adult suspects, the prosecution is seeking detention without the right to bail, and for the minor, round-the-clock house arrest for the duration of the investigation.
As a reminder, in the Lviv region, law enforcement detained a border guard suspected of offering to arrange the unimpeded departure of men to Poland for $30,000.
Additionally, in the Odesa region, fraudsters were detained for deceiving military personnel in a car sale.
