The SBI exposed another laboratory and confiscated goods worth US 1 million dollars from drug syndicate (VIDEO)

The State Bureau of Investigation continues to systematically combat drug crime, which is attempting to undermine the country's defense capability from within during the war.

The SBI employees in cooperation with the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police conducted a large-scale special operation. They documented the drug group's illegal activities and halted the activities of a large-scale drug manufacturing laboratory in Transcarpathia.

The group consisted of both civilians and law enforcement officers. The group members were involved in the illegal production of psychotropic drugs in the laboratory.

The business was organized by three residents of Transcarpathia. They hired individuals from various places, most of whom were in charge of sales. They arranged the laboratory in the basement of a private house on the outskirts of a village in Uzhgorod district. The laboratory's capacity allowed it to produce psychotropic drugs in sufficient quantities. The syndicate produced up to 25 kg of drugs per week on average.

According to preliminary estimates, the monthly turnover of the group could be from one to two million dollars.

They sold the goods in all regions of Ukraine via dealers or social media. The offenders even had a closed telegram channel offering a wide range of "products".

The SBI agents seized approximately 2.5 tons of precursors, 5 weapons, 14 vehicles, and approximately 30 kilograms of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances during 53 searches across Ukraine, and the illegal laboratory for the manufacture of psychotropic substances was shut down.

The total value of the seized narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues and precursors is over US 1 million dollars.

13 people were detained, including representatives of law enforcement agencies. They were served notices of suspicion of participation in a criminal organization, illegal production, storage and sale of drugs, as well as smuggling of drugs (Articles 255, 307, 311, 317 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Three more offenders, who are abroad, were served notices of suspicion under the same articles.

Investigative (search) actions to bring all perpetrators to criminal responsibility are ongoing.

The sanctions of the articles provide for punishment up to 12 years imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The procedural control is carried out by the Uzhhorod District Prosecutor's Office.