The criminal group operated in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship from July 2015 to February 2018. The investigation by the District Prosecutor’s Office in Jelenia Góra established that the gang members were involved in trafficking methamphetamine: they organized the purchase of larger batches of the substance—at least 2 kilograms—acquired other substances to increase the volume of the drugs they had purchased, and then divided and packaged them into ready-made portions, which they supplied to a network of dealers.

It was established that the group commissioned two other people to produce a substantial quantity of a psychotropic substance, providing them with the products, vessels and precursors necessary for the production—commonly available medicines sold in tablet form.

One of the group members became involved in the production process. (He wanted to learn how to manufacture the drug.)

After these two people were arrested and remanded in custody, a Czech citizen was persuaded to manufacture the drugs so that production would not be interrupted. The drug obtained in this way was subsequently traded on the black market.

(The arrests took place in February 2017, when officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation of the Police dismantled a methamphetamine factory located in one of the towns in Zgorzelec County.)

Another person was arrested in May 2017. Large quantities of a psychotropic substance in the form of methamphetamine were discovered at that time, along with materials and equipment used to produce it.

In October 2017, the District Prosecutor’s Office in Jelenia Góra filed an indictment against these people, accusing them of producing substantial quantities of a psychotropic substance. Three perpetrators, including one Czech citizen, have already received final sentences ranging from 1.5 to 6 years in prison.

It was also established that the group members committed other crimes, including an assault that took place in Karpacz in September 2015; criminal threats; handling stolen goods; and offenses against documents.

It was also established that Marta N., who belonged to the group, possessed ammunition without a permit.

The group attracted people who were in conflict with the law and made a living by committing criminal acts. They carried out the group members’ orders in exchange for access to drugs.

On February 5, 2018, two group members were arrested by officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation. Ammunition was found, along with more than 45 grams of methamphetamine and more than 2 kilograms of a substance used to produce the drugs and increase their quantity.

In total, seven people were charged with trafficking substantial quantities of a psychotropic substance and committing other crimes. Some of the suspects confessed. Two people denied participating in the criminal operation.

Four of the defendants were remanded in custody at the request of the District Prosecutor’s Office in Jelenia Góra. Three people facing charges are serving prison sentences imposed in other cases. Non-custodial preventive measures were applied to two of the defendants.

Property belonging to the defendants was secured, including three cars owned by them.

For participating in the production and trafficking of substantial quantities of psychotropic substances, the defendants face up to 15 years in prison. Defendant Marta N. is a repeat offender; she has previously been convicted of a similar crime. Interestingly, she committed it in Sweden. N. faces up to 20 years behind bars.

One of the defendants has no previous convictions; the others have been convicted of drug offenses and other types of crimes.

The defendants are residents of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship aged between 29 and 43.