One of the largest undercover drug business for millions – the SBI exposed a criminal group that was being «protected» by a law enforcement officer in Kharkiv

The State Bureau of Investigation combats crime within law enforcement agencies and drug trafficking, particularly when law enforcement officers are involved in such illegal activities.

The employees of the SBI, with the assistance of National Police of Ukraine, exposed a criminal organization in Kharkiv that had established a large-scale distribution network for drugs and psychotropic substances. The group included a local law enforcement officer who was covering up the group’s activities.

According to the investigation, the organizer was a criminal figure who had «appointed himself as the local boss» of one of the city’s districts. He recruited at least nine accomplices to carry out the scheme.

The main «product» was the dangerous psychotropic substance PVP. It was sold to civilians, but the dealers attempted to expand their business to members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

During a multi-stage special operation, investigators identified one of the supply routes—the drugs were being transported to Kharkiv from Kyiv.

The dealers conducted drug sales 24 hours a day in one of the city’s dormitories. For conspiracy reasons, the participants constantly switched rooms, and the drugs were handed over «person to person». Local residents repeatedly complained about this drug den, but law enforcement officials ignored the reports and dismissed them as irrelevant.

In total, the employees of the SBI documented the sale of approximately 9 kilograms of drugs and psychotropic substances worth over UAH 3 million. According to reports, the dealers sold more than 6,000 doses each month.

The organizer used part of the money to support the criminal environment including sending care packages to prisons.

During the special operation, the employees of the SBI conducted 25 searches. They seized drugs, scales, cell phones, computer equipment containing evidence of criminal activity, weapons, as well as nearly UAH 500,000 in cash and gold jewelry weighing approximately 100 grams.

Ten members of the group have been arrested, including the organizer and a law enforcement officer.

The suspects have been served notifications of suspicion for forming and participating in a criminal organization, as well as of acquiring, possessing, and distributing psychotropic substances (Parts 1, 2, and 3 of Article 255 and Part 3 of Article 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The issue of imposing precautionary measures is currently being decided.

The sanctions of the article provide for up to 13 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Investigators are identifying all those involved and examining the possible involvement of other law enforcement officers in covering up drug trafficking.

The procedural guidance is provided by the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.