Law enforcement officials carried out nearly 130 searches across 20 regions, destroying 21,000 cannabis and opium poppy plants. Charges have been filed against 14 individuals.

In August, coordinated by the Department for Combating Drug Crimes of the National Police, the first stage of the special operation named «Gentlemen» was carried out nationwide. Participating in the operation were criminal police officers and investigators from various regions, supported by special units.

This operation was part of an annual effort to combat illegal cultivation of narcotic plants, aimed at identifying and eliminating illegal crops to prevent drug substances from entering the black market.

Police conducted 128 searches in residences and on land plots, discovering over 21,000 narcotic plants, as well as seizing 57 kg of cannabis, cash, and vehicles.

The destruction of illegal crops prevented approximately 4.2 tons of drugs from reaching the market, which could have earned drug dealers over 200 million hryvnias.

Nine individuals have been apprehended in connection with criminal cases.

Investigators have notified 14 suspects of charges related to illegal drug production, and 43 additional individuals are expected to receive charges following forensic examinations.

In Cherkasy, an organized group of five individuals involved in illegal cannabis cultivation was uncovered. They supplied cannabis to the capital. Police destroyed nearly 7,500 cannabis plants.

In Zhytomyr, police documented a scheme of cannabis cultivation, finding over 5,000 plants.