Illegal Psychotropic Substance Sales in Kyiv
Three employees of the U420 store network in Kyiv have been formally notified of suspicion for the illegal sale of psychotropic substances. According to law enforcement, these individuals sold products disguised as CBD items, including beverages and sweets. Their actions have been classified under Part 2 of Article 307 of Ukraine's Criminal Code, which deals with the illegal sale of narcotics by an organized group.
Investigation and Consequences
The investigation revealed that from September 2025 to April 2026, the products contained delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, whose circulation is restricted in Ukraine. The press service of the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office confirmed the discovery of this controlled substance.
Law enforcement exposed the activities of a drug trafficking group called Khimprom, which operated the U420 store network as one of its fronts. During more than 280 searches conducted in Kyiv and ten other regions, products valued at over 75 million hryvnias were seized. All confiscated goods were sent for expert examination, which confirmed the presence of psychotropic substances. This case highlights the ongoing challenges Ukraine faces with synthetic and disguised narcotics entering consumer markets.
The incident underscores the severity of illegal drug trafficking in Ukraine and the efforts of law enforcement to combat narcotics crime. The seizure of a significant volume of products and the detention of suspects demonstrate active measures to detect and halt such offenses. These events are expected to lead to further investigations and checks in other regions of the country to prevent similar cases in the future.
The recent crackdown on the U420 store network in Kyiv is part of a broader effort by law enforcement to tackle the rising issue of disguised narcotics in Ukraine. Similar operations have taken place in other cities, such as Lviv, where a network of stores was also found selling illegal substances under the guise of souvenirs. For more details on this ongoing battle against drug trafficking, read about the recent police actions in Lviv.