The SSU neutralized an organized criminal group that terrorized Zaporizhzhia residents and tried to extort passenger transportation business in the region.

To control local transport companies, the gang members committed robberies against bus owners and their drivers.

During the robbery, the offenders extorted money for further ‘free enterprise’.

The criminals acted with particular cruelty, using knives and other cold steel weapons. In case of refusal to pay them money, they threatened the victims and their families with violence and physical harm, as well as arson of cars and houses.

It was established that racketeers threatened to cut off the ears and fingers of one of the road carriers if he did not agree to pay them a share of the company's profits.

The criminals planned to gain full control over all local passenger transportation companies and then expand their influence to the neighboring regions.

According to the investigation, the criminal group consisted of five residents of Zaporizhzhia. Some of them had previous convictions for serious crimes.

SSU officers detained the offenders red-handed while they were attempting to injure a manager of a local car company.

During searches of the detainees' homes and cars, the following items were seized:

• unregistered firearms and cold steel weapons;
• draft records with information about victims and potential target groups;
• large amounts of cash.

Currently, five offenders have been served a notice of suspicion under Part 2 Art. 206 of the CCU (counteraction to legitimate economic activity by prior conspiracy by a group of persons with a threat of murder and infliction of bodily harm with damage or destruction of property). Four of them are in custody. The decision on custody as a measure of restraint against the fifth member of the gang is pending.

In addition, the issue of filing additional charges against the racketeers is being decided.

The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime and bring the perpetrators to justice. The offenders face imprisonment.

The SSU Office in Zaporizhzhia region carried out the operation jointly with the National Police of Ukraine under the procedural supervision of the Zaporizhzhia Region Prosecutor’s Office.