In Lviv region, the activities of a group of seven local residents suspected of organising the cultivation of cannabis and storing cannabis for further sale have been halted. This was reported under the procedural guidance of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the investigation, between May and October this year, four men aged between 53 and 63, and a family of three – a 46-year-old man, his 44-year-old wife and their 19-year-old son, a student at one of Lviv’s colleges – organised the sowing and cultivation of cannabis on two plots of land.
One plot, with an area of 0.038 ha, is located within a gardening association near Lviv, where three of the suspects lived permanently. The second plot, with an area of almost 1.8 ha, is located within the Trostianets community of Stryi district. On these plots, according to the investigation, the accomplices planted cannabis, provided it with fertilisers and growth stimulants, and after harvesting the “crop” prepared cannabis for wholesale and retail sale.
During 14 searches at the cultivation sites and at the suspects’ places of residence, law enforcement officers seized dozens of cannabis plants, more than 30 kg of what is believed to be cannabis in bags, boxes, wraps, plastic containers and jars, as well as five vehicles belonging to the suspects – a Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, Skoda Yeti, Renault Kangoo and Opel. In addition, cash in various currencies was seized: over 5,800 US dollars, 920 euros, 1,350 zlotys, 600 pounds sterling and almost 760,000 UAH, as well as rough notes, scales, vacuum sealers and other physical evidence. The estimated value of the seized plant-based products, according to preliminary assessments, is up to 15 million UAH.
All members of the group were detained under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. They have been notified of suspicion of the unlawful acquisition and storage for the purpose of sale of narcotic substances in an especially large quantity, by prior conspiracy by a group of persons, as well as of the sowing and cultivation of cannabis in a quantity of fifty or more plants (Part 3 of Article 307, Part 2 of Article 310 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Main Directorate of the National Police in Lviv region with operational support from the Cybercrime Counteraction Department in Lviv region of the Cyber Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine.
Investigative actions are ongoing, a number of expert examinations have been commissioned, and other possible participants in the unlawful activity are being identified. In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, persons are presumed innocent of committing a crime until their guilt is proven in the manner prescribed by law and established by a guilty verdict of a court.