Ukraine Busts ‘Breaking Bad’ Labs Exporting Methadone Disguised as Car Fluid

Ukraine’s National Police said it dismantled two alleged drug rings that recruited a PhD-level chemist, manufactured methadone and amphetamine, and planned to smuggle drugs abroad disguised as car fluid.Police announced the results of the two-stage operation, named “Breaking Bad” after the US television series about a chemistry teacher who becomes a drug manufacturer, on Tuesday, Oct. 6.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.“Eighty-seven searches, two dismantled drug laboratories and seized methadone worth more than Hr.10 million [$223,000] – these are the results of the two-stage Breaking Bad operation,” police said.Six alleged participants were detained, while investigators notified eight people that they were suspected of criminal offenses. It was not immediately clear how many of those formally named as suspects were among the six detainees.PhD-level chemist recruited for methadone labAccording to investigators, one of the groups established a drug laboratory in the Kyiv region capable of producing more than 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of methadone per month.The organization allegedly recruited a holder of a Candidate of Chemical Sciences degree – broadly equivalent to a PhD – to participate in the manufacturing process.Investigators believe the group planned to export the methadone through Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey before delivering it to Georgia.To conceal the shipments, the suspects allegedly kept the methadone in liquid form and disguised it as automotive fluid. Other Topics of Interest Drone Reportedly Sinks Grain Ship Near Romania, Kills 2 The vessel had departed from Ukraine’s Izmail port for Italy. Romanian authorities have not yet confirmed what caused the fatal fire. Police said the group also sold methadone inside Ukraine through a Telegram-based online store.During the first stage of the operation, officers dismantled the laboratory and seized 17 liters (4.5 gallons) of liquid methadone, 11 kilograms (24 pounds) of chemical precursors, manufacturing equipment, a vehicle and cash.The seized methadone had an estimated black-market value exceeding Hr.10 million, or approximately $223,000 at Tuesday’s official exchange rate.Mobile laboratories produced amphetamineThe second group allegedly operated mobile drug laboratories in central Ukraine’s Cherkasy and Vinnytsia regions.Police said the laboratories produced around 10 kilograms of amphetamine per month. The drug was then distributed in wholesale quantities across Ukraine and smuggled into Moldova.Investigators did not disclose how the mobile laboratories were transported or how long the two groups allegedly operated.The operation follows a wider crackdown on Ukraine’s synthetic-drug trade. During the earlier Rubicon operation, Ukrainian police dismantled 34 laboratories and 74 storage facilities, while authorities in Poland and Moldova simultaneously targeted alleged cross-border suppliers and couriers.Suspects face up to 12 years in prisonInvestigators accuse the suspects of illegally manufacturing and distributing narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, as well as unlawfully handling chemical precursors.If convicted, they could face up to 12 years in prison and property confiscation.Police said the investigation remains underway. The allegations have not yet been examined in court, and the suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.