In Lviv, law enforcement officers have shut down the activities of a 32-year-old man from Kharkiv who, according to the investigation, is suspected of running an extensive distribution network of psychotropic substances and using a fake police ID. This was reported by the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the investigation, the man organised the sale of psychotropics via Telegram shops: he purchased wholesale batches of PVP and amphetamine, and after receiving the parcels he divided them into smaller doses and sold them on. He stored the substances ready for sale in a rented flat in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Lviv.
Investigators say he sold the psychotropics by placing so-called ‘master stashes’ and ‘drops’ in various parts of the city, and also sent orders by post across Ukraine. To conceal his unlawful activities, he used fictitious surnames and first names for senders and recipients of the parcels and regularly changed his mobile phone numbers.
In addition, according to the investigation, the suspect used a forged law enforcement officer’s ID card and badge stating that he was allegedly a police captain with the Internal Security Department of the National Police of Ukraine. He counted on the status of an ‘internal security officer’ to avoid additional checks, in particular during curfew hours or in the event of suspicious behaviour linked to placing ‘drops’.
In May this year, law enforcement officers carried out a series of searches. In the rented accommodation and in vehicles they found cannabis, grinding devices, packaging and weighing equipment, and mobile phones. They also seized three premium-class cars – two Lexus vehicles and one Range Rover.
Searches were also conducted at the man’s registered address in Kharkiv, where a pistol and cartridges were found. The weapon and ammunition have been sent for expert examination, after which a decision will be made on their legal classification.
Under the procedural guidance of the Halytskyi District Prosecutor’s Office of Lviv, the man has been notified that he is suspected of the unlawful purchase, storage, transportation, posting and sale of psychotropic and particularly dangerous psychotropic substances, as well as the unlawful purchase and storage of narcotic drugs without intent to sell, aiding and abetting the forging of documents and the use of forged documents, committed by a group of persons acting in prior collusion (Part 2, 3 of Article 307, Part 1 of Article 309, Part 5 of Article 27, Part 3 of Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
At the request of the prosecution, the suspect has been remanded in custody with no right to bail. Investigative actions are ongoing to identify other individuals who may be involved both in drug trafficking and in producing forged documents.
The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by Police Station No. 1 of Lviv District Police Department No. 1 of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Lviv Region, with operational support provided by officers of the Drug Enforcement Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Lviv Region, assisted by the Drug Enforcement Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kharkiv Region.
The Prosecutor’s Office reminds that, in accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and may not be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt has been proven in the manner prescribed by law and established by a guilty verdict of a court.