The Security Service systematically combats transborder criminal activity involving the smuggling of narcotics and psychotropic substances, posing a threat to Ukraine's national security.
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, the SSU has neutralized over 60 organized groups engaged in various criminal activities, including smuggling heavy narcotics into the European Union through Ukraine.
Seizures from criminals amount to wholesale shipments valued at nearly UAH 2 billion in equivalent. The SSU has conducted significant special operations against members of the Russian criminal organization "Khimprom," which has sought to operate in Ukraine since 2014 under the coordination of Russian special services.
This criminal organization has a hierarchical structure and operates under the directives of leaders hiding from justice in Mexico. With nearly 1,000 participants worldwide, the "Khimprom" network generates illegal revenues exceeding USD 2 million monthly for the drug cartel.
In August 2023, the SBU dismantled a "branch" of "Khimprom" in the Kyiv and Sumy regions, arresting individuals, including two former officers of the National Police's Anti-Drug Crime Unit, affiliated with the Russian drug syndicate.
The criminals had established two powerful drug laboratories in both regions, facilitating industrial-scale production of banned substances for sale in Ukraine and the EU.
During searches, authorities seized 23 tons of precursor chemicals and nearly 150 kg of finished psychotropic substances from the criminals.
In total, as a result of the Security Service's multi-stage operations during this period:
- 89 drug dealers have been apprehended and informed of suspicion.
- 34 organizers and active participants of drug trafficking groups have received actual prison sentences.
Thanks to the Security Service's prompt response, it has successfully prevented the establishment of transborder channels for "uninterrupted" deliveries of prohibited substances to the EU.
For instance, in October 2023, the SSU, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies in Romania, eliminated a contraband drug trafficking route from Iran to European countries.
As a result of comprehensive measures in Odessa, participants in an international group attempting to transport nearly 200 kg of Iranian heroin to the EU under the guise of exporting dates were apprehended.
Furthermore, at the end of August this year, the SSU detained four drug dealers who imported 2 tons of prohibited substances from East Asia to Ukraine. These were precursors for the production of highly dangerous psychotropics—PVP and mephedrone—that criminals transported disguised as construction mixtures. According to available information, the culprits planned to further transport the "merchandise" to the EU for sale through their own drug dealers.
Comprehensive measures are ongoing to identify all individuals involved in international drug trafficking and hold them accountable for the exposed facts. The Security Service conducted these comprehensive actions jointly with the Prosecutor's Office.
