The SBU exposed officials agroforestry officials who involved in large-scale illegal deforestation of a communal forest fund of Sumy region.

Allegedly, the offenders organized illegal tree felling and its sale. The offenders illegally issued logging licenses, which allowed to conduct repeated sanitary fellings.

According to the experts, the scheme caused loss to the state for almost UAH 1 m. (USD 35,000).

During the searches at the offenders’ offices and the residences, SBU officers seized documents with evidence of illegal activity.

Within the criminal proceedings initiated for abuse of office, forgery in office and illegal cuttings of forests, the official of the agroforestry received the notice of suspicion.

The investigation is ongoing to bring to justice all those involved in the scheme.

The operation was conducted jointly with the Main National Police Directorate in Sumy Region under the procedural supervision of the Sumy Region Prosecutor's Office.