In Kyiv, law enforcement authorities have arrested two individuals engaged in the illegal drug trade amounting to around 16 million hryvnias.

The criminals set up an underground shop, distributing illicit substances concealed within fake music speakers. Such activities could lead to a sentence of up to ten years in prison.

Police operatives apprehended the drug traffickers during the sale of another batch of narcotics with the support of the Security Service of Ukraine.

It was established that for over 18 months, the offenders traded in prohibited substances through a hidden shop offering a wide range of psychotropic drugs. Customers contacted them via Telegram.

They received payments for the drugs through a cryptocurrency wallet, and deliveries were made via taxi services, cleverly hiding packages inside fake audio systems. This business generated a profit of around 25-30 thousand dollars per month.

Among those arrested was a 22-year-old native of Kyiv, who organized the shop's operations, and his 38-year-old accomplice from Dnipropetrovsk region.

The mastermind of the scheme lived in a semi-basement of a former restaurant, where they stored the narcotics. During searches, the police seized 1.5 kg of cocaine, 300 ecstasy pills, and other drugs.

The suspects have been charged with illegal acquisition and storage of narcotics. They face up to ten years of imprisonment. A preventive measure has been chosen in the form of detention.

The investigation is ongoing, and police are working to clarify all circumstances of the case.