“The State Bureau of Investigation reports that, with the assistance of the State Border Service, it has uncovered and stopped the operation of a transnational cocaine supply channel from European countries to the territory of Ukraine.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Source: press service of the DBR
Literally: “Within the scope of the special operation, it was established that drug trafficking was organized by a criminal group of an international level, which included citizens of Ukraine, Armenia, the Czech Republic and Germany. The members of the group had a clear division of roles, acted conspiratorially and used several levels of logistics.
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The organizer of the group (according to UP, a citizen of Ukraine – ed.) previously served a sentence in the USA for similar crimes. After returning to Ukraine, he resumed illegal activities, attracting accomplices abroad. One of them lived permanently in Germany and coordinated the regular arrival of narcotics from EU countries. The other figure, together with his father, was responsible for receiving, storing and further distributing prohibited substances in Ukraine, having contacts with wholesale buyers.”
Details: The Bureau supplemented its message with clippings of the conversations of those involved in the case.
According to the investigation, at the first stage, the perpetrators used inconspicuous methods of transporting small batches of drugs with the involvement of specially selected couriers who carried the drugs in their bodies. Such deliveries were of a regular nature and served as a check of channels and routes, say the SDB.
It is indicated that at the same time the group worked on a significant expansion of the scale of drug trafficking. For this purpose, the participants conducted negotiations regarding the establishment of alternative delivery channels, in particular, using sea logistics and container transportation through the port infrastructure of Odessa. They paid special attention to the possibility of “guaranteed” passage of customs and border control.
According to the investigation, cocaine was planned to be brought to Ukraine in batches of up to 2 kilograms every week. The value of one such batch on the illegal market exceeded 200,000 US dollars, the SBI says.
Law enforcement officers also documented the intention to involve some employees of customs and border agencies in illegal activities. The Bureau is checking the possible involvement of officials in this arrangement.
It is stated that the organizer of international drug trafficking was detained in Odesa by the SBI employees. He was informed of the suspicion of illegal transportation and sale of narcotics.
Currently, the issue of selecting a preventive measure for him is being resolved.
The sanction of the article provides for a punishment of up to 12 years of imprisonment.