The SBU exposed illegal mining of basalt on an industrial scale. The quarries were equipped in Rivne region. The offenders used trucks to export rocks from deposits for further sale on the black market.

According to preliminary estimates, the scam caused over UAH 70 m (USD 2.6m) state losses. The environmental damage is to be established.

According to findings, the scam was organized by two managers of a local entity. The offenders set up illegal basalt mining at a granite deposit in Kostopil district.

They illicitly sold the rocks to representatives of affiliated enterprises and then laundered profits through a network of controlled companies.

During searches of illegal mining facilities and offenders’ residences and offices, law enforcement officers found:

• Computer equipment, accounting documentation and draft records with the evidence of illegal transactions
• 7 vehicles and mining equipment
• Large sums of cash, allegedly obtained by criminal means
• An F-1 grenade with a fuze
• More than 300 5.45 mm rounds
• Unregistered firearms

The seized inventory is sent for examination.

The investigative actions are underway to establish all the circumstances of the offense and to prosecute all involved individuals in violation of rules related to the protection of mineral resources, legalization (laundering) of criminally obtained money and other property, unlawful handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives.

The operation was conducted by the SBU Office in Rivne region jointly with the SBU Main Directorate of Counterintelligence Protection of the State’s Interests in the Field of Economic Security, investigators of the National Police under the supervision of Rivne Region Prosecutor’s Office.