In Odesa, the SSU dismantled an organized criminal group. According to preliminary data, it included serving law enforcement officers. The gang terrorized residents of the region, kidnapped people and extorted money.

If people refused to pay the ‘tribute’, the criminals used pressure and intimidation.

The members of the criminal group posed as law enforcement officers and carried out unlawful detentions of citizens under fictitious pretexts. Then, they forced the victims to pay money for ‘non-prosecution’.

Besides, the perpetrators conducted unauthorized searches and robbed apartments. According to intelligence, the organizer of the group and his accomplice are serving employees of a unit of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. To their victims, they introduced themselves as officers of the National Police, the SSU and other law enforcement agencies.

The SSU documented the group’s illegal actions against a local entrepreneur. The criminals threatened with physical violence and extorted a ‘debt’ from the businessman.

The SSU detained two organizers, employees of the State Border Guard Service, in the attempt to kidnap the victim.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated. The detainees will be notified of suspicion. The court is to decide on the measure of restraint. Urgent investigative actions are underway to establish all the circumstances of the offenses and bring to justice those involved.

The SSU Office in Odesa region carried out the operation together with the National Police investigators under the supervision of Odessa Regional Prosecutor’s Office.