Mykolaiv SIZO inspector released from prison for drug trafficking

A junior inspector of the Mykolaiv SIZO was caught trying to smuggle drugs to a prisoner. He pleaded guilty and entered into a plea deal with the prosecutor.

This is stated in the verdict of the Central District Court of Mykolaiv.

In the Mykolaiv pre-trial detention center, an internal service sergeant was caught trying to smuggle drugs and psychotropic substances into the institution to give them to one of the prisoners for a monetary reward.

Despite his duty to uphold the law, the law enforcement officer became involved in drug trafficking. The criminal scheme began in 2024, when the inspector established friendly communication with one of the prisoners while on duty. He offered to smuggle drugs to him for money, to which the inspector agreed.

On June 20, 2024, a pre-trial detention center employee received a charger with cannabis, LSD, and amphetamine hidden in its case. All this was given to him by an unidentified person, and he received 2 thousand hryvnias for his services.

On the same day, he came to the detention center with a backpack in which he kept the drugs. During the inspection of his belongings, officers of the operational department found the cache. The law enforcement officer was charged with Part 2 of Art. 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - illegal acquisition and storage with intent to sell especially dangerous narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

The suspect pleaded guilty, repented and entered into a plea agreement with the prosecutor. The court found him guilty of drug trafficking and sentenced him to 5 years in prison. However, the court replaced the actual imprisonment with a probationary period of 3 years: the convict must report to the probation authorities and inform them of any change of residence.

The bail of 100 thousand hryvnias will be returned to him. The convict was charged with more than 3 thousand hryvnias for the cost of the examination. The seizure of the material evidence - a cell phone, charger and drugs - was lifted, and they are to be destroyed.

In early March, law enforcement officers detained a pensioner who manufactured and sold drugs in Mykolaiv region. He bought precursors and manufactured psychotropic drugs at his home, which he then sold to customers. Also in Voznesensk, three local residents were suspected of selling psychotropic substances. The woman, together with her brother and another acquaintance, sold them among their friends.

Анна Бальчінос