Chemistry Olympiad winner creates drug lab in Vinnytsia: what is known
29 October 2025 21:07
In Vinnytsia, a court found guilty a 26-year-old man who had won school chemistry competitions in the past, but later misused his knowledge.
According to the Vinnytsia regional police, he rented a private house and equipped it as a full-fledged drug lab, where he manufactured, packaged and stored psychotropic substances, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Laboratory for 20 million and “profit” of half a million a month
During a search conducted by KORD special forces back in March, law enforcement officers found several hundred kilograms of drugs and laboratory equipment worth about UAH 20 million.
According to the investigation, the “entrepreneur” earned up to UAH 500 thousand per month by selling “goods” through bookmarks and mailings.
Verdict and articles of indictment
The court found the man guilty under several articles of the Criminal Code, ranging from the production and sale of drugs to the organization of drug manufacturing sites.
In particular, he was charged with violating
- articles 307, 311, 313 and 317 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine;
- illegal actions with precursors and special equipment.
The sentence was nine years in prison with confiscation of all property.
In recent years, the police have recorded an increase in the number of drug labs set up by people with technical or natural science backgrounds.
Experts attribute this to easier access to reagents, equipment, and information online.
Law enforcement officials emphasize that each such case is not only a violation of the law, but also a threat to the lives of neighbors, as the artisanal production of psychotropic drugs is often accompanied by explosions and poisoning
