Police Shut Down U420 Network: 12 Lviv Stores Sold Drugs Disguised as Souvenirs

Police Raid and Close U420 Store Network in Lviv

According to Главком: On April 14, law enforcement officers in Lviv dismantled the U420 network of stores, which were selling drugs under the guise of souvenirs. The operation, involving searches conducted by the National Police under the procedural guidance of the Office of the Prosecutor General, targeted a network comprising 12 stores in Lviv and approximately 30 in Kyiv. Criminal proceedings have been initiated for offenses under Articles 255 (parts 1, 2), 307 (parts 2, 3), and 209 (part 3) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. This crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to combat organized crime in the country.

Offenses and Investigation Findings

The offenses under investigation include:

• participation in a criminal organization,
• illegal drug trafficking,
• money laundering.

Journalists from BihusInfo had previously published a report on the U420 network after making purchases at three different stores in Kyiv. The purchased goods were tested by a private laboratory and the Scientific Research Expert Forensic Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Analysis results confirmed the presence of a psychotropic substance-a synthetic cannabinoid, a type of banned 'spice'-in the products.

The Lviv City Council expressed gratitude to the law enforcement agencies for their work. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi stated:

“Today, law enforcement officers shut down a network of drug stores in Lviv. According to police information, it consisted of 12 stores. We thank the law enforcement agencies for their work. Thanks to all concerned citizens, journalists, public organizations, veterans, deputies-everyone who kept their finger on the pulse and did not remain silent.”

This event highlights the efforts of Ukrainian authorities to combat illegal drug trafficking and criminal organizations. The dismantling of the U420 network represents a significant step in improving urban safety, as such operations target groups that often exploit young people and create broader social issues. Actions like this signal a more active stance by law enforcement against crime, which can have a positive impact on society as a whole.

The recent police operation in Lviv not only dismantled the U420 network but also revealed alarming findings regarding the presence of banned substances in their products. For more details on the investigation and the specific synthetic cannabinoid discovered, you can read about the police raid on the U420 store chain here.