In Dnipropetrovsk region, the SBU blocked activity of a criminal organized group. The group committed high-profile crimes and intimidated people.

Allegedly, the group consisted of up to 15 members with criminal past.
The offenders terrorized the locals committing robberies, property damage, and using violence.

The leaders of the group, previously convicted of felonies, organized a large-scale drug trafficking in the region. The offenders sold wholesale batches of drugs via personal connections and used drug dealers for resale.

The monthly turnover of the drugs amounted to almost UAH 6 m. (USD 212,000). The group has been active for almost a year.

To maintain illegal business and fight “competitors”, the group used extortionists. The perpetrators resorted to psychological harassment and threatened their victims with physical violence. Allegedly, the offenders are also involved in kidnappings.

During searches of the perpetrators’ residences, the SBU officers seized weapons, grenades, drugs and illegally obtained money.

The law enforcement detained six organizers and active members of the group.

Six offenders were served notices of suspicion upon the facts of creation, management of a criminal community or criminal organization, as well as participation in it; illegal imprisonment or kidnapping; theft; illegal possession of a vehicle; illegal production, manufacture, purchase, storage, transportation, shipment or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues. The type of detention is being chosen.

The investigation is ongoing to prosecute other participants. Possible involvement of law enforcement officers in illegal activity of the group is being checked.

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