The National Police have summarised the results of the two phases of the large-scale special operation «Gentlemen» against the illegal cultivation and sale of drugs. Law enforcement officers carried out 968 searches, seized around one tonne of cannabis and destroyed nearly 57,000 cannabis plants. The potential value of the drugs that could have ended up on the black market is estimated at over 350 million hryvnias.
• During the two phases of Operation «Gentlemen», 968 searches were carried out.
• Police seized around a tonne of cannabis and nearly 57,000 cannabis plants.
• 23 ‘grow box’-type drug laboratories have been dismantled.
• 96 people have been arrested, and 181 suspects have been served with notices of suspicion.
• The value of the drugs is estimated at over 350 million hryvnias.
The police uncovered entire cannabis plantations
The special operation covered various regions of Ukraine. The organisers attempted to conceal some of the illegal cannabis plantations amongst agricultural crops, in tree lines and in hard-to-reach areas. The scale of some of the plantations is evident from aerial photographs taken by the National Police: large areas of agricultural land had been planted with cannabis.
Following the results of the two stages, the law enforcement agencies carried out 968 searches. In total, around one tonne of cannabis and almost 57,000 cannabis plants.
Law enforcement officers also suspended operations 23 grow box-type laboratories, where the plants were grown under controlled conditions using specialised lighting, ventilation and other equipment.
181 suspects have been notified of the charges against them
Following the special operation 96 people were detained, а 181 suspects have been notified of the charges against them. The investigations relate, in particular, to the unlawful cultivation of narcotic plants, and the manufacture, possession and sale of narcotic drugs.
The National Police are estimating the potential value of the goods seized and destroyed on the black market in over 350 million hryvnias.
During the first phase of the operation in July, the police carried out 435 searches across 23 regions and in Kyiv. At that time, nearly 30,000 cannabis and opium poppy plants were destroyed, over 170 kg of cannabis was seized, and 12 grow-box and hydroponic laboratories were dismantled. Seventy-four suspects were served with notices of suspicion.
The cannabis was concealed amongst ordinary agricultural crops
Those behind the illegal crops tried to make them harder to detect.
According to the police, the plants were planted taking into account the terrain, amongst ordinary agricultural crops and in remote areas. During the first phase, law enforcement officers discovered, in particular, large plantations in woodland strips and other hard-to-reach places.
In addition to the plants themselves and the processed cannabis, the searches resulted in the seizure of equipment used for cultivation and processing, cash, vehicles and other material evidence.
It was the «Gentlemen» is part of the National Police’s annual operations aimed at detecting illegal cannabis and opium poppy crops and preventing narcotic raw materials from entering the black market.
Drug offences carry a sentence of up to 12 years’ imprisonment
Depending on the circumstances of the cases, the individuals involved in the proceedings are charged with the unlawful cultivation of narcotic plants, as well as the production, possession and sale of narcotic drugs.
Under the most serious charges brought during the first phase of the operation, the suspects could face up to 12 years' imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Investigations into certain incidents are ongoing.
