The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced the completion of a large-scale special operation to neutralize an international drug trafficking network. During multi-stage operations, law enforcement officers seized a record amount of cocaine valued at 70 million UAH. This is the largest seizure of this narcotic substance in the country since February 2022.
Geography and scale of the operation
The special operation was conducted under the procedural supervision of the Dnipro District Prosecutor's Office of Kyiv. Operational and investigative activities covered three regions: Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Lviv oblasts. As a result of coordinated actions, 10 members of a criminal group involved in the wholesale distribution of drugs were detained.
According to the investigation, coordination of activities in the Ukrainian market was carried out by a Kyiv resident who recruited executors through specialized internet resources. During searches of hiding places and storage facilities, more than 10 kg of cocaine, as well as batches of ecstasy and other psychotropic substances, were seized.
International aspect and logistics
The investigation revealed the international nature of the syndicate's activities. Investigative bodies have established the involvement of three Ukrainian citizens temporarily residing in Spain in organizing the logistics supply chain. Currently, the procedure for their extradition to Ukraine to face criminal charges has been initiated.
The estimated monthly income of the criminal group from the wholesale distribution of smuggled goods ranged from 15 to 20 million UAH. The detained individuals have been officially notified of suspicion of committing crimes under Part 3 of Article 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs by an organized group).
Contradictory data
Open sources and initial reports feature different figures regarding the weight of the seized substance. In one of the SBU reports, it is stated that about 2 kg of cocaine was found during the first series of searches, and more than 8 kg was seized during subsequent actions. The final total of 10 kg is confirmed in the final summaries, however, details of the distribution of batches among hiding places remain closed to the general public in the interests of the investigation.
Procedural status and punishment
For all 10 detained suspects, the preventive measure of detention has been selected. In the event that guilt is proven in court, members of the group face imprisonment for up to 12 years with confiscation of property. The investigation is ongoing, and work is underway to establish all links in the criminal chain.
