Photo: A drug ring involving employees of Ukrzaliznytsia and the State Special Communications Service was uncovered in Uzhhorod

A large-scale drug ring was uncovered in Uzhhorod; according to the investigation, employees of Ukrzaliznytsia and the State Special Communications Service may be involved in the organization of the ring. The suspects face up to 10 years in prison and confiscation of property.

 

Law enforcement officials in Zakarpattia dismantled a drug ring with a monthly profit of 1.2 million hryvnia. Among those detained are an employee of Ukrzaliznytsia and a courier from the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection.

According to a statement by the Transcarpathian Regional Police on Wednesday, September 30, the criminal group consisted of four people. The drug operation was organized and coordinated by a 34-year-old resident of Uzhhorod, an employee of “Ukrzaliznytsia.” His co-organizer was a 55-year-old Uzhhorod resident—a courier for the State Service for Special Communications. He was responsible for manufacturing and packaging the drugs.

Two other members—a 58-year-old and a 34-year-old Uzhhorod resident—directly sold the drugs, including in bulk shipments. The latter is a military servicemember who is wanted for desertion.

Authorities conducted 27 searches of the suspects’ residences, vehicles, and premises where drugs were manufactured and stored, seizing more than 200 packages of cannabis, pots with hydroponically grown cannabis plants, dried cannabis plants, and other narcotic substances.

“The total weight of the seized items is over 10 kg. In addition, police seized packets of methamphetamine, ampoules of morphine, electronic scales, devices for drug use and grinding, nearly 30 cell phones, cash in national and foreign currencies totaling over 670,000 UAH, and 5 vehicles,” the police reported.

All four suspects were arrested with the possibility of posting bail totaling over 10 million UAH. For the illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, or distribution of drugs, committed by a group of individuals acting in prior conspiracy (Part 2 of Article 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), they face 6 to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property, according to the Transcarpathian Regional Police.

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Scammers intimidated a 13-year-old daughter of a military officer and tricked her out of $54,000.