Police Operation Disrupts Drug Distribution Network in Ukraine
During a large-scale police operation, authorities dismantled an interregional drug trafficking network that disguised narcotic and psychotropic substances as legal CBD dietary supplements. On January 14, over 100 simultaneous searches were conducted across 21 regions of the country. The organizer of the scheme and two accomplices were apprehended and charged with forming an organized crime group.
The operation involved officers from the narcotics division and investigators from the Volyn Regional Police, in collaboration with specialized units of the National Police. It was revealed that a 44-year-old local man had established a production line for CBD products containing narcotic components such as cannabis extract and tetrahydrocannabinol. He operated a drug lab in his residence, where he lived with his wife and three minor children.
His associates were involved in creating new food products disguised as CBD, seeking additional sales networks, and packaging products for distribution to other regions.
During the preliminary investigation, a supply channel for CBD raw materials from an EU country to Ukraine was documented, utilizing logistics companies. With this substance, the suspects established an entire underground production infrastructure, including laboratories for producing high-concentration cannabis extracts and various psychotropic products.
The finished products were marketed through a network of 17 stores in Volyn and 75 sales points nationwide, as well as online. This well-organized operation generated a steady monthly income exceeding 10 million hryvnias.
With the support of special forces, police conducted over 100 searches on January 14. More than 1,000 liters of high-concentration CBD oil, 18,100 tea sticks containing tetrahydrocannabinol, thousands of packets with narcotic substances, and laboratory equipment were seized. The estimated value of the confiscated goods exceeds 430 million hryvnias.
Three participants were detained under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, with charges announced under Part 3 of Article 307 of the Criminal Code. The court has imposed preventive measures. The penalty for this charge ranges from nine to twelve years in prison with asset forfeiture.
The operation was supported by operatives from the narcotics division of the National Police of Volyn region in cooperation with investigators from various regions of Ukraine.
