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Law enforcement agencies from Kazakhstan and Ukraine have successfully dismantled a network of call centers in Kyiv that were actively recruiting individuals for drug trafficking operations. This significant breakthrough was announced by the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan.

International Cooperation Cracks Down on Drug Recruitment

Through coordinated efforts between the prosecutor's offices of both nations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan and the National Police of Ukraine identified the organizers and participants of these transnational criminal operations. The call centers were instrumental in luring new members into the illicit drug business.

Targeting Youth for the Drug Trade

On May 28, the operations of several call centers, linked to a major transnational criminal organization involved in the production and sale of synthetic drugs across Europe and CIS countries, were halted in Kyiv. Eldar Abdikenov, Deputy Chairman of the Anti-Drug Crime Control Committee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan, stated that these centers were used to recruit citizens within Kazakhstan to work as drug distributors ('zakladchiki') and packagers.

Arrests and Seizures in the Operation

The joint operation resulted in the apprehension of 11 individuals. The roles of each participant in the criminal scheme, including organizers, senior operators, and frontline recruiters, have been identified. Police conducted searches at nine locations, seizing approximately $40,000 USD, 10,000 Euros, a Range Rover vehicle, 18 mobile phones, and 12 laptops and tablets.

Ongoing Investigations and Future Impact

Currently, investigators are working to extract and analyze data from the seized electronic devices to identify the accounts of the criminal organizers. Financial investigations are also underway. The Ministry of Internal Affairs emphasized that the disruption of these call centers is expected to significantly reduce the involvement of Kazakh citizens in drug-related criminal activities and aid in identifying and prosecuting the masterminds behind international drug trafficking.

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