Major Drug Lab Bust in Moscow Region Uncovers Methadone Production Network
In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, an underground methadone production laboratory has been dismantled in the Moscow region, as reported by the Federal Customs Service (FCS). Customs officers apprehended a member of an organized crime group involved in the production and distribution of methadone, seizing an impressive 103 kg of precursors and specialized chemical equipment used for synthesizing the illicit drug.
The FCS highlighted that the seized precursors could yield methadone worth over 400 million rubles. The operation was triggered by the monitoring of a truck transporting prohibited substances from Kazakhstan to a logistics center in Moscow. During the raid, authorities confiscated various items including powdered substances, glass flasks, test tubes, and liquid containers, which are essential for drug production.
Investigations revealed that the criminal network was funded from Ukraine, with the so-called pharmacist ordering raw materials via online channels. The finished methadone was then distributed to accomplices, who sold it in parks across Moscow and its surrounding areas. This operation has led to the initiation of a criminal case on smuggling charges, with potential sentences ranging from 15 to 20 years in prison or even life imprisonment for the accused.
This bust is part of a broader initiative by Russian authorities to combat drug production networks that have been operating in regions such as Moscow, Pskov, and Ryazan. In a recent report, the Ministry of Internal Affairs disclosed that 21 individuals were arrested, including 12 Ukrainians, and significant quantities of precursors and finished drugs were seized. The ongoing investigation has revealed a complex structure of the criminal organization, consisting of various functional and territorial units.
Minister of Internal Affairs Vladimir Kolokoltsev emphasized the evolving nature of drug trafficking, noting that law enforcement has identified over 97% of drug-related crimes and dismantled more than 1,000 underground drug labs. The increasing volumes of seized narcotics and the escalating financial gains from drug trafficking highlight the urgent need for enhanced strategies in combating this illicit trade.
keywords:[
methadone production
organized crime
drug trafficking
Moscow region
Federal Customs Service
