Interregional drug supply network discovered in Kyiv, over a ton of substance seized

An interregional channel for the supply of the narcotic substance kratom was established in Kyiv. As part of the investigation led by the Zaporizhzhia Regional Prosecutor’s Office, more than 1 ton of kratom, worth more than 9.5 million hryvnias, was seized during searches.

This investigation was a continuation of actions that began in February 2026, when a group of eight people was exposed, engaged in the sale of narcotic and psychotropic substances disguised as legal goods. The perpetrators sold vapes and smoking liquids containing cannabis extract through a network of stores in several regions.

The investigation revealed that the organizer of the channel was responsible for the purchase, storage, packaging and delivery of kratom from Kyiv to other regions, in particular through postal services. Law enforcement officers noted that this activity was interregional in nature, which indicates a large-scale drug trafficking.

On March 16-17, searches were conducted in Kyiv of premises where kratom was stored, and packaging equipment and draft records with information about supplies and customers were seized. In total, more than 60 searches were conducted in different regions, which made it possible to document the entire distribution chain.

The organizer was detained under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. He was charged under Part 3 of Article 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal acquisition, storage, transportation or sale of narcotic drugs in large quantities). The court imposed a preventive measure in the form of detention with the possibility of posting bail in the amount of 998 thousand hryvnias. Prosecutors plan to appeal this decision.

Investigators continue their work, identifying other individuals involved in the channel’s activities, as well as checking possible connections with similar schemes in different regions of the country.