In Volyn, a large-scale methadone trafficking scheme was uncovered: drugs were hidden in clothing

In Volyn, a large-scale methadone trafficking scheme was uncovered: drugs were hidden in clothing

Volyn police officers uncovered a drug trafficking scheme that supplied psychotropic substances across Ukraine – drugs were hidden in clothing.

This was reported by the communication sector of the Volyn region police on Monday, January 27th.

«Thanks to the coordinated actions of Volyn law enforcement, a methadone supply channel across the territory of Ukraine was eliminated. As a result of the special operation, three offenders who organized this illegal business were arrested,» the statement said.

The illegal activity was organized by a 21-year-old resident of the Cherkasy region. The young "entrepreneur" ensured the functioning of a Telegram channel and the scheme as a whole. To implement his plan, he involved two other "partners" – men aged 20 and 26.

As the police found out, to avoid detection, the involved parties created a multi-level conspiracy system. Drugs were hidden in clothing – methadone packets were sewn into the fabric and sent to clients that way.

The accomplices were arrested "red-handed" – during the organization of another shipment. They were found with 40 packets of methadone.

During a sanctioned search of the premises rented by the drug dealers, the police discovered and seized 410 grams of methadone, cannabis, zip-lock bags, packing tape, rolls of foil, electronic scales, money amounting to over 50,000 hryvnias, pieces of clothing with sewn-in foil packages, and rough notes.

All this was sent for necessary examinations to the Volyn forensic research center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The total value of the drugs on the "black market" is estimated at about one million hryvnias. The criminal group managed to earn over half a million hryvnias before being exposed.

Under the procedural guidance of the prosecution, all three offenders have been charged under Article 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine concerning drug trafficking. Currently, the issue of selecting preventive measures for them is being decided.

Investigative actions continue, and law enforcement officers are working on uncovering other possible links in this scheme.