close
close

Ukraine uncovers large illegal arms and drug market

According to the Prosecutor General's Office, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies claim to have disrupted key channels for the illegal distribution of weapons and drugs.

As part of the operation carried out on September 21, 116 people were warned for various criminal offenses.

The Attorney General's Office reports that 49 people are suspected of illegal possession and sale of weapons and ammunition and embezzlement of military equipment. Another 67 people are accused of drug trafficking.

Over 129 searches were carried out, resulting in the seizure of large quantities of military weapons and explosives.

Police officers seized 12 mortar and anti-tank mines, 187 grenade launchers, over 85 automatic rifles and machine guns, and nearly 38,000 rounds of ammunition. The stockpile also included homemade firearms, detonators, TNT blocks, and various other weapons and explosives.

At the same time, the authorities conducted 69 anti-drug raids in several regions. During these raids, psychotropic substances worth over 15.5 million hryvnias ($363,495) were seized, including significant quantities of amphetamine, MDMA, cannabis and other illegal drugs.

The investigation revealed that suspects had used Telegram in 2024 to facilitate drug sales through “dead drop boxes” and postal services, even in frontline areas affected by the ongoing war. Eleven people are accused of participating in these activities as part of an organized criminal group.

Law enforcement agencies also closed a laboratory that produced narcotics and psychotropic substances during the operation. The Attorney General's Office said preventive measures for the suspects are currently being determined and the investigation is ongoing.

Related:

You can close this page. Or you can join our community and help us create more materials like this.
We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. That's why our small, low-cost team relies on the support of readers like you to deliver breaking news, high-quality analysis, and first-hand reporting on Russia's war on Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little goes a long way: For as little as the price of a cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, and also become a contributing factor and vote on the issues we should cover next. Become a sponsor or see other possibilities, Support.
Become a patron!

You may also like...