In Zaporizhzhia region, SBU exposed embezzlement of state funds allocated for sowing and cultivating lands of a state-owned agricultural enterprise.

SBU officers established that this year the management of the branch company concluded a number of agreements with businessmen for sowing and cultivation of lands of the state enterprise. Allegedly, the dealers, with the "consent" of the officials, significantly overestimated the cost of materials and the amount of work performed. As a result, the state-owned enterprise suffered multimillion losses.

To prevent the losses, at the initiative of the SBU, the 2020 harvest was seized. However, despite the court’s decision, the perpetrators proceeded harvesting.

The law enforcement stopped the illegal activity and seized more than 600 tons of illegally harvested crops. According to the experts, its total cost is over UAH 6 million (USD 180,000) .

Currently, the investigation is ongoing to establish the full amount of damages caused to the state.

During 9 simultaneous searches of the premises of the state enterprise, the company and places of residence of the persons involved in the case, the operatives seized accounting documents, means of communication, and other items that would be attached to the case materials.

Within the criminal proceedings initiated upon the fact of misappropriation, embezzlement or conversion of property by malversation (Part 5 of Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) the issue of sequestration the equipment is being settled.

The investigation is ongoing to bring to justice all persons involved in illegal activities.

The operation was conducted jointly with the National Police under the supervision of the regional Prosecutor's Office.