Feb. 19, 2026, 3:43 p.m.
(PHOTO: od.npu.gov.ua)
In Odesa region, as part of the nationwide special operation Rubicon, police exposed an interregional network for the sale of drugs and psychotropic substances and dismantled five drug laboratories. According to law enforcement estimates, the value of the seized "goods" on the black market exceeds UAH 11 million.
This was reported by the press service of the National Police in Odesa region.
Over the course of several days, operatives of the Drug Crime Department of the Odesa Oblast National Police documented the illegal activities of 23 suspects.
The criminals were looking for buyers via the Internet and messengers and sold illegal drugs both by mail throughout Ukraine and "hand to hand". Some of the offenders even set up their own drug labs at home, where they grew hemp and manufactured drugs for further sale.
As part of the special operation, law enforcement officers conducted 35 authorized searches at the suspects' residences. During the investigation, almost 16 kg of synthetic and vegetable drugs, 88 planted cannabis plants, seeds and fertilizers were seized.
In addition, the police seized equipment for drug cultivation - heating, lighting, ventilation and irrigation systems, devices for grinding, packaging and packaging, as well as mobile phones, computer equipment, video surveillance, a shotgun, a pistol with 118 rounds of ammunition, bank cards, money and other items relevant to the investigation. Most of the material evidence was sent for expert examination.
At the moment, four suspects have been procedurally detained. They have been notified of suspicion under Parts 1, 2 and 3 of Article 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which provides for liability for the illegal production, acquisition, storage, transportation, shipment or sale of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
The maximum penalty for these crimes is up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. The issue of choosing a preventive measure against the suspects is currently being decided.
According to the Prosecutor General's Office, the network provided a full cycle of drug trafficking: smuggling precursors from EU countries, industrial production, logistics, and sales in the markets of Ukraine, Poland, Georgia, and Moldova. A total of 123 people were served with a notice of suspicion. Law enforcement officers uncovered 34 drug laboratories and 74 warehouses with finished products.
In January, a court in Odesa arrested a suspect in the organization of a transnational drug supply channel without bail. The special operation established that the drug trafficking was organized by an international criminal group consisting of citizens of Ukraine, Armenia, the Czech Republic and Germany.
Анна Бальчінос