Law enforcement officers exposed and served suspicion notices to seven members of a criminal group who organized four drug laboratories for the production of amphetamine and the precursor phenylnitropropene and sold banned substances in Ukraine and neighboring countries, the Prosecutor General’s Office reports.
“According to the investigation, the suspects have set up a supply channel for precursors and potent drugs, as well as processes for the manufacture and sale of amphetamine and precursors of phenylnitropropene and nitroethane throughout the country. The members of the drug group set up four drug laboratories in apartments in Kyiv region, with a capacity to produce over 50 kg of precursors per month. Of these, 40 kg of amphetamine was subsequently produced. This provided the defendants with a stable income of more than UAH 16 million per month,” the statement said.
The criminals set up a warehouse for precursors at the workplace of one of the group members, who worked in the capital’s market. The suspects sold the “products” through logistics companies using fictitious personal data, as well as to trusted persons from hand to hand. The money was received on bank cards issued to other accomplices.
Law enforcement officers conducted 23 simultaneous searches in drug labs, warehouses, residences and cars of the suspects.
Almost 400 liters of nitroethane, which could be used to synthesize about 300 kg of amphetamine, 25 kg of various precursors, more than 3 thousand MDMA pills, 430 g of amphetamine, 205 g of cannabis, laboratory equipment, weapons and ammunition, and two cars used in their criminal activity were seized.
The estimated value of the seized prohibited substances may amount to UAH 122 million.
The members of the drug group were detained in accordance with Art. 208 of the CPC of Ukraine. The issue of choosing a measure of restraint is being decided.
