Record 165 kg Amphetamine Bust: Major Drug Ring Dismantled in Ukraine's Ivano-Frankivsk Region

Law enforcement authorities in Ukraine's Ivano-Frankivsk region have successfully dismantled a major illicit drug manufacturing and distribution network, seizing a record-breaking 165 kilograms of amphetamine. Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko announced the operation, emphasizing the unprecedented scale of the criminal enterprise within the region.

A Full-Cycle Narcotic Syndicate

The illicit operation was run by four local residents, including two 18-year-olds, one minor, and a 37-year-old accomplice. According to authorities, the group managed a highly organized, comprehensive drug trafficking business. "The scale is a record for the region," Kravchenko stated via Telegram. "They set up a full cycle of the drug business: manufacturing, packaging, and selling the 'products' through postal services."

Massive Seizures of Drugs and Weapons

During a series of coordinated raids, investigators uncovered a massive haul of illegal substances and contraband. In addition to the 165 kilograms of amphetamine, police confiscated cannabis, 99 ecstasy pills, and specialized laboratory equipment. Authorities also seized illicit financial ledgers, mobile phones, bank cards, and approximately 1.5 million Ukrainian hryvnias (UAH) in various currencies.

The operation further revealed a significant cache of weaponry. A search of a garage belonging to the 37-year-old suspect yielded a heavily armed stash, which included two automatic rifles, three handguns, a pump-action shotgun, live grenades with detonators, and a large stockpile of ammunition.

Arrests and Legal Proceedings

Three of the suspects were apprehended red-handed at their clandestine laboratory. They face severe charges under the Criminal Code of Ukraine for the illegal production and distribution of psychotropic substances, as well as the unlawful use of manufacturing equipment. The 37-year-old accomplice was also taken into custody and charged with large-scale illegal drug trafficking.

The Prosecutor General's Office has formally requested that the adult suspects be remanded in custody without the possibility of bail, while seeking 24-hour house arrest for the minor involved. Pre-trial investigations remain ongoing as authorities work to uncover any further connections to the illicit network.