Odesa region: the SBI exposed cannabis production with multimillion turnover during special operation (VIDEO)

The State Bureau of Investigation continues its systematic work to combat drug production and distribution in Ukraine. Now this work is especially important, because drug dealers think that attention to the front will help them avoid exposure.

The SBI employees in cooperation with the Drug Crime Department of the National Police in Odesa region exposed and shut down a large drug production facility with interregional distribution channels.

The drug business was organized by a resident of Odesa region, involving 10 other local residents. The dealers organized a full cycle from cultivation to sale: they grew hemp in their underground greenhouses, processed and packed the "goods". The criminals were looking for "clients" via the Internet in different regions of Ukraine, including in the frontline areas. The "businessmen" even had their own accountant who maintained "black" accounting.

The group members were mostly selling drugs through postal services.

During the special operation, law enforcers detected and detained all members of the group. During searches at the residences of the group members, more than 13 kg of cannabis and hundreds of hemp bushes, weapons, cash and other evidence of criminal activity were seized.

At "black market" prices, the cost of the packages of drugs prepared for shipment alone is over UAH 3 million. The full value of the seized "goods" is still being established.

Investigative actions are ongoing. In the framework of the pre-trial investigation, the involvement of law enforcement officials in covering up such criminal activity is being established.

The members of the group were served a notice of suspicion of illegal production, storage and sale of drugs ( Article 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The sanction of the article provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for up to 10 years.

Procedural guidance is provided by the Odesa Region Prosecutor's Office.

It should be reminded that the State Bureau of Investigations seized one of the largest consignments of drugs in Kharkiv region: more than 1.5 tons of opium poppy straw.

Also, the SBI is investigating the involvement of law enforcement officers of Lviv region in the transportation of 300 kg of hashish to Poland.

In Kharkiv region, the SBI employees detained three members of a criminal group that organized cannabis production and sales channel in Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. In total, more than 200 kilograms of narcotic substance were seized, the approximate cost on the "black market" is UAH 12 million.