In Kyiv, a group of drug dealers disguised as military personnel was apprehended.

In Kyiv, authorities have dismantled a group of drug dealers operating in the capital, who dressed in military uniforms to divert suspicion during drug sales. Weapons were also found in the possession of the detained criminals.

This information was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing the Facebook page of the Kyiv police.

According to law enforcement, the distribution of cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabis was organized by a previously convicted 31-year-old resident of the Kyiv region. He involved two acquaintances in the illegal activity, who were responsible for the direct sale of drugs.

"The value of the seized illegal substances on the 'black' market is half a million hryvnias," the police reported.

It is noted that the criminals were exposed by operatives of the Shevchenkivskyi police department of the capital.

How the drug dealers operated

Law enforcement officials stated that the drug dealers offered their "clients" cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabis, which they "sold exclusively in the capital during personal meetings for cash."

"To divert suspicion from themselves, they dressed in military uniforms during the sales," the police informed.

Detention of the suspects

According to the head of the Shevchenkivskyi police department, Oleksandr Lehenkyi, all members of the criminal group were apprehended during a special operation.

"One of the suspects was detained in the capital, where he arrived with the intent to sell another batch of psychotropic substances. From his vehicle, we seized half a kilogram of amphetamines. The other suspects were arrested at their residences, where during authorized searches, psychotropic substances, as well as a grenade and a pistol with ammunition, were confiscated," he explained.

What the criminals face

Investigators are conducting criminal proceedings initiated:

• under Part 2 of Article 307 (Illegal acquisition, storage, transportation, mailing, or sale of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances),
• and Part 1 of Article 263 (Illegal handling of weapons, military ammunition, or explosive substances) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The suspects have been notified of their suspicion, and a preventive measure of detention has been chosen. They face up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property.

Earlier it was reported that last autumn, Odessa police caught a man selling cocaine to wholesale buyers, who used his young daughter for concealment.

Additionally, it was reported that a native of the Transcarpathian region, holding Hungarian citizenship, had led a drug business for years, involving three other Ukrainians. Upon his arrest, it turned out that he had stored cocaine worth 200 thousand dollars.