The SBU exposed and blocked the illegal mining of mineral resources in Zakarpattia region. The state suffered almost UAH 9 m (USD 321,429) losses.

The operatives established that the scheme was organized by the founder and director of an agro-industry enterprise. He set up the illicit mining of sand-gravel mixture under the guise of crop irrigation in protected area near the river Uzh basin. According to the experts, the illegal business could have adversely affected hydrology of the river ecosystem.

Initiated by the SBU forensic engineering-ecological examination confirmed that miners illegally extracted more than 10,000 cubic meters of minerals. Within the criminal proceedings, SBU officers documented that the state suffered 1.7 m (USD 60,715) losses. According to the environmentalists, illegal sand mining caused losses to the state in the amount of UAH 7.3 m (USD 260,715).

The experts also found that the illegal extraction of minerals has led to the complete destruction of soil and vegetation, which will take decades to recover.

During the investigation, law enforcement officers found equipment used during the illegal mining. The issue of seizing the property is being settled.

The organizer of the illegal business is currently suspected of violation of the rules of protection or use of subsoil.

The SBU continues to prevent damages to critical infrastructure facilities in the sphere of environmental protection.

The documenting of the crime was conducted jointly with the police investigators and the environmental inspectors under the supervision of Zakarpattia Region Prosecutor's Office.