In Lviv, the operatives of the National Police Strategic Investigation Department, together with the regional prosecutor's office, exposed and detained the organizer of a powerful drug trafficking-42-year-old Pavel Lebedev, who was previously suspected in large-scale production of synthetic drugs. Along with it, two accomplices who were engaged in the wholesale of methadone in the region were detained.
As reported in the Strategic Investigation Department, the criminal group acted according to the classic scheme: selling from hand to hand, as well as through bookmarks that were sent to customers by phone. However, the attempt to avoid responsibility was fatal: the organizer tried to bribe law enforcement.
"The police have documented the transfer of a bribe for a total amount of $ 18,000 to the employee of the strategic investigation department," the DSR reported. Lebedev tried to "redeem" to avoid criminal prosecution and continue drug business.
During a search in the car of one of the members of the group, police found 4 kg of methadone hidden under the hood. The cost of the black market found is almost UAH 4.5 million.
The defendants have already reported suspicion under Part 3 of Art. 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (sales of narcotic substances), and Pavel Lebedev is also charged with Part 3 of Art. 369 of the Criminal Code (attempt to bribe an official).
Lebedev was already delayed in 2021 in the framework of operations for the elimination of drug laboratories, where methadone and carfentanil were made - a super -hazardous synthetic opioid, ten times stronger than fentanyl. Then they seized the largest one -time batch of Carthantanil in Ukraine - 20 kg. These cases are still being considered in court.
Currently, the court has chosen the suspect the harshest preventive measure - detention without the possibility of bail. If the blame is proved, they are threatened with up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
