Law enforcement officials conducted a large-scale operation, seizing 57,000 cannabis plants and drug labs
As part of two phases of nationwide efforts to combat drug-related crime, law enforcement officers conducted 968 searches, seized more than a metric ton of cannabis, and confiscated nearly 57,000 cannabis plants. In addition, 23 drug laboratories were shut down, 96 people were arrested, and another 181 were notified of their status as suspects.
According to preliminary estimates, the potential value of the narcotics that could have entered the illegal market exceeds 350 million hryvnias.
The operations were coordinated by the Office of the Prosecutor General and regional prosecutor’s offices.
During the final phase of the operation, law enforcement officers conducted 532 searches in 23 regions of Ukraine and Kyiv.
As a result, the following were seized:
- more than 40,000 cannabis plants;
- 838 kg of cannabis;
- 4.7 kg of amphetamine;
- about 2 kg of alpha-PVP;
- mephedrone, methamphetamine, poppy straw, and controlled substances, the distribution of which is restricted.
In addition, law enforcement officers shut down 12 “grow box” laboratories.
During the searches, authorities seized equipment used for growing, manufacturing, and packaging drugs, as well as vehicles, over 5 million UAH in national and foreign currencies, weapons, ammunition, and explosives.
Law enforcement officials determined that the illegal cannabis crops were planted in hard-to-reach areas, including among agricultural crops, in dense vegetation, in forest strips, as well as on abandoned and private plots.
One of the largest plantations was discovered in the Zhytomyr region. The cannabis was being grown among sunflowers.
During the “harvest,” law enforcement officers detained six members of the group. They seized 29,435 cannabis plants and 570 kg of cannabis.
The suspects are currently in custody.
During the final phase of these large-scale operations alone, 62 people were detained, and another 107 were notified that they were suspected of drug-related crimes.
In total, following the two phases of the operation, 96 people were detained and 181 were notified of suspicion.
The suspects’ actions are classified, in particular, under Articles 307, 309, and 310 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. These charges relate to the illegal production, storage, and distribution of narcotic drugs, as well as the planting and cultivation of narcotic-containing plants.
The penalty for the most serious of the alleged offenses is up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Once the necessary forensic examinations are completed, law enforcement officials will decide whether to serve notices of suspicion to other individuals who may be involved in the illegal trafficking of drugs.
At the same time, in accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court verdict.
This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General.
In addition, the State Bureau of Investigations is conducting a special operation called “Stop Trafficking,” aimed at combating the illegal trafficking of drugs, weapons, and ammunition.
The National Police of Ukraine carried out the third and final stage of the nationwide anti-drug special operation “Rubicon.” In total, over the course of the three phases, law enforcement officials served notices of suspicion to 367 individuals involved in criminal proceedings and dismantled a significant portion of the drug trafficking infrastructure in Ukraine.
Prior to this, prosecutors from the Transcarpathian Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Defense of the Western Region filed an indictment with the court against two members of an organized group, who are accused of smuggling nearly 6 kilograms of cocaine into Ukraine and preparing the drugs for sale.
