In St. Petersburg, authorities from Kolpinsky Court ordered a two-month detention for two suspects linked to a high-profile narcotics case. The operation involved transporting a notably large Latin American cocaine shipment, exceeding 200 kilograms, concealed within a fruit truck. This information was reported by the joint press service of the St. Petersburg courts via the official telegraph channel.
The court reviewed the investigators’ request to apply a restraint measure in the form of detention for D. Antipov and A. Markov. The petitions were considered, and the detention measure was approved for both defendants until late May, pending further legal proceedings.
According to the press service, the defendants face charges under Part 3 of Article 30 and Part 5 of Article 228.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which cover attempts to manufacture, sell, or transport illegal drugs on a particularly large scale. Law enforcement officers reportedly intercepted the illicit cargo in an undercover operation, revealing the contraband hidden beneath the headlining of a container inside a trailer, thereby stopping a planned distribution channel.
The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia confirmed that over 200 kilograms of cocaine—valued at approximately 800 million rubles—were seized in the city. The operation is described as disrupting an international drug trafficking network and halting a significant supply route from Latin American sources to the Russian Federation. Two individuals were apprehended in connection with this activity, and the case continues through the judicial process.
Observers note that the seizure underscores ongoing efforts to dismantle organized crime networks involved in the cross-border movement of illegal substances. The authorities emphasized that the investigation remains active, and additional charges could be brought as the case unfolds. The detained suspects currently remain in custody, with court proceedings continuing to determine further measures and potential additional measures as the investigation progresses. The public safety and law enforcement agencies involved in the case stress the importance of coordinated actions to curb international drug trafficking operations and to safeguard communities from the impact of these crimes.