The Security Service of Ukraine suspects the head of one of the forest farms of large-scale theft and sale of state wood in Vinnytsia region.

SBU operatives exposed the crime at the end of last year. Allegedly, the acting head of one of the forest enterprises of Lityn district organized illegal harvesting and marketing of unaccounted raw materials. It was established that Illegal activities took place under the guise of forest health promotion. Thus, the official prepared and issued timber tickets for unscheduled selective-sanitary cuttings, which were not planed.

The environmental examination concludes that for one month the state suffered losses amounting to UAH 1,300,000 (USD 48,149).

Currently, the offender is served a suspicion notice of committing the crimes under Part 4 Art.246 and Part 2 Art.366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The information on possible involvement of other officials in the fraud is being checked.

The operation was carried out by the SBU Office in Vinnytsia region jointly with the Territorial Directorate of the State Bureau of Investigations in Khmelnytskyi city under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor's Office.