Law enforcement conducted nearly 130 searches across 20 regions of the country, destroying 21 thousand cannabis and poppy plants. Fourteen individuals have been charged with illegal cultivation of narcotic plants based on the investigation.

In August, under the coordination of the Drug Crime Department of the National Police, the first phase of a nationwide special operation named 'Gentlemen' was launched. The operation involved criminal police officers and investigators from various regions, along with the support of special units.

The purpose of the operation was to identify and eliminate illegal drug crops and prevent their entry into the market. During the operation, 128 searches were carried out in households across 20 regions, where criminals concealed their plantations among agricultural crops.

As a result of the investigative actions, over 21 thousand narcotic plants were found and destroyed, along with nearly 57 kg of cannabis, equipment, money, and vehicles.

The elimination of these crops prevented approximately 4.2 tons of drugs from reaching the black market, potentially generating over 200 million hryvnias for the traffickers.

Nine individuals were detained as part of the criminal cases, and fourteen suspects have been charged with drug-related crimes.

In Cherkasy, a group of five individuals engaged in illegal cannabis cultivation was uncovered. Police destroyed about 7.5 thousand cannabis plants, while in Zhytomyr, over 5 thousand plants were eliminated, hidden among corn fields.