During a large-scale operation, law enforcement uncovered an interregional network involved in the illegal trade of narcotic substances disguised as legal dietary supplements known as «CBD». On January 14, over one hundred simultaneous searches were conducted across 21 regions. The organizers and two accomplices were detained and charged with belonging to an organized crime group.
As part of an ongoing criminal investigation, officers from the narcotics police and the Prosecutor's Office of Volyn region uncovered the criminal activities of a 44-year-old local resident. The operation was conducted under the supervision of the Prosecutor's Office with support from police special units.
It was established that the suspect had established a serial production of CBD products containing narcotic substances, specifically cannabis extracts and THC. He set up a drug laboratory in his home, where he lived with his family, and personally oversaw the production of THC-laden products masquerading as dietary supplements for sale in local stores.
His accomplices, residents of Volyn, produced new food items disguised as CBD, sought additional sales channels, and packaged goods for shipment to other regions.
During the investigation, a supply channel for CBD raw materials from a European Union country to Ukraine was documented, involving logistics companies. With this substance, the suspects created an entire underground production infrastructure, which included separate laboratories for producing high-concentration cannabis extracts posing as CBD and manufacturing gummy candies in the shape of «bears», boosts, and other products containing THC.
The finished narcotic products were sold through an extensive distribution network comprising 17 stores in the Volyn region and 75 outlets nationwide, as well as online. A well-structured logistics system and role distribution among participants allowed them to secure a stable monthly income exceeding 10 million UAH.
With the support of special forces, over one hundred searches were executed on January 14. More than 1,000 liters of high-concentration CBD oil containing cannabis extract, 18,100 THC tea sticks, over 2,000 zip bags containing THC (capsules, candies, chocolate), 70 kg of psilocybin mushrooms, over 10,000 gelatin «bears» containing THC, and over 3,500 ampoules of dietary supplements with cannabis extract were seized.
The estimated value of the confiscated products containing THC and cannabis extract on the black market exceeds 430 million UAH.
Three participants were detained under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. They were charged with being part of an organized crime group under part 3 of Article 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, and the court imposed preventive measures. The sanction of part 3 of Article 307 of the Criminal Code provides for imprisonment of nine to twelve years with confiscation of property.
The operation in Ukraine was supported by narcotics police officers from various regional directorates of the National Police.