Cocaine instead of coffee: drug supply channel from the EU to Ukraine blocked
29 October 2024 14:41
Law enforcers jointly with investigators of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the State Customs Service of Ukraine in Lviv region blocked the illegal activities of a criminal drug group whose members set up a scheme to smuggle cocaine from the EU to Ukraine. The suspects disguised the drugs in packages of ground coffee. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the National Police.
The organizers of the criminal scheme were two Kyiv residents aged 32 and 33, one of whom is currently abroad. They involved three other accomplices in their activities.
“After receiving a batch of drugs, the criminals ensured their further sale on the territory of Ukraine via the Telegram channel. Payment for the “goods” was made either by bank transfer or in cash from hand to hand, as well as in cryptocurrency, which provided additional anonymity,” the National Police said.
The accomplices received more than UAH 5 million in profit every month.
Law enforcers conducted 10 simultaneous authorized searches, which resulted in the seizure of 800 grams of cocaine, 2 kg of cannabis, UAH 5 million in various currencies, packaging materials, and “draft” records.
The estimated value of the seized drugs at black market prices is over UAH 6 million.
The National Police reported that four participants were detained in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
Investigators notified them of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 307 (Illegal production, manufacture, purchase, storage, transportation, shipment or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues, committed by an organized group, or in particularly large amounts) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Three of them were chosen a measure of restraint in the form of detention without the right to be released on bail, and another – with the possibility of bail in the amount of UAH 908 thousand. The organizer, who is abroad, was served a notice of suspicion under Part 3 of Art. 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine in absentia.
The offenders face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
