SBU officers blocked activities of the organized group, dealing with money extortion from businessmen in Zakarpattya region.

The group included three residents of the region. The offenders were creating artificial conflicts to extort money from the locals. Also racketeers imposed “tributes" on the representatives of commercial structures. For the “collection" of non-existent debts, the group members applied psychological pressure and physical abuse.

SBU operatives documented the fact of extortion USD 6,000 from a local businessman. In case of non-payment, the offenders threatened a man to be physically abused.

SBU officers detained the group leader with another gang member according to Art. 208 of the Criminal Procedural Code of Ukraine on receiving another bribe amounting to USD 1,000. The firearms of foreign manufacture with two magazines of rounds were seized from the detainees.

Also narcotic drugs and thunder flashes, which offenders used to threaten citizens were detected during searches at residences of involved persons. The issue of serving to all group members notices of suspicion of committing a crime and choosing a measure of restraint is now being settled. Within the initiated criminal proceedings under Part. 2 Art. 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the investigations are ongoing. The operation was conducted under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor's Office of Zakarpattya region.