Odessa law enforcement officers detained five members of a drug cartel, including a minor girl, who were involved in the production and sale of the highly dangerous psychotropic substance Alpha-PVP. The criminals' activities brought in millions of hryvnias.
According to the National Police of Ukraine, three men rented a private house in Odessa, equipped a drug laboratory, and purchased reagents and precursors. Two girls helped sell the drugs by disguising them in children's clothes and toys, using "bookmarks," chatbots, and delivery services.
The criminals operated not only in Odessa, but also in other regions of Ukraine, and also sent psychotropic substances abroad. Money from clients was transferred to bank accounts, electronic wallets, and then converted into cryptocurrency and cash.
During the searches, over 16 kg of psychotropic substances in solid and liquid form, over 3 kg of other drugs, 250 liters of precursors, laboratory equipment and packaging materials were seized. The total value of the seized items is almost UAH 23 million at “black market” prices.
The men have already been sentenced to pretrial detention without bail. The girls are still being investigated. The suspects face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
The investigation is ongoing under the procedural guidance of the Odessa Regional Prosecutor's Office.
