The Oktyabrsky District Court of Novosibirsk has declared an organized criminal group involved in drug trafficking an extremist organization and banned its activities within Russia.
According to court records, the criminal group operated in the region between 2018 and 2019, selling narcotics through an underground online store (darknet). The group consisted of 17 young individuals, including foreign nationals.
The organizer of the group managed all criminal activities remotely while serving a sentence in prison. During the investigation and trial, the group members' involvement in activities prohibited in Russia was also established.
The court fully granted the prosecutor's request. Property belonging to 15 members of the group, valued at over 20 million rubles, as well as funds in their bank accounts, were confiscated for the benefit of the state. Claims regarding the property of the remaining two defendants were separated into a distinct legal proceeding.
The court's decision has not yet entered into legal force.
