The Security Service of Ukraine blocked the illegal mining of raw amber in Dubrovitskiy Forestry and detained a group of illegal miners.

Allegedly, the residents of several villages in the Rokytne district set up the illegal mining of amber. The offenders used hazardous soil erosion technology. Afterwards, they sold the amber to local dealers.

At the site of the illegal exploitation, law enforcement officers exposed 15 group members, 10 diesel motor pumps, and over 20 kilos of amber.

During the seizure of technological equipment and amber, local residents tried to resist against SBU officers.

Criminal proceedings were initiated for illegal mining, sale, appropriation, transfer, shipment, transportation and processing of amber.

Investigations are ongoing in order to establish all the circumstances and the volume of illegal activities. The issue of bringing to justice other persons involved in the fraud is being resolved.

The operation was conducted jointly with the SBU Center of Special Operations “A” under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor's Office of Rivne region.