The SSU continues to fight against transnational organized crime that poses threat to Ukraine’s national security. In a multi-stage special operation in Mariupol, the SSU dismantled a transnational criminal group.

The group kidnapped people and forcedly engaged them in drug trafficking. In case of refusal, the criminals used violence against the victims and threatened them with murder.

The gang was coordinated from the Middle East by a native of the South Caucasus, the so-called ‘thief in law’, involved in aggravated and especially aggravated crimes.

Instructed by him, the gangsters tried to arrange the sale of hard drugs in the region. The ‘goods’ were handed over through local residents, forcibly involved in the drug business.

Besides, the criminals also terrorized and intimidated residents of the region by robbing and extorting money from them.

According to the investigation, the perpetrators created artificial conflict situations and, using firearms and inflicting severe bodily injuries, forced the victims to pay non-existent debts.

The SSU documented the fact of extortion of USD 20,000.

The law enforcement detained two organizers of the gang when they received part of the sum from the victim. The detainees have been notified of suspicion of extortion, robbery and kidnapping. The court is to decide on the measure of restraint.

Investigation is underway to identify and bring to justice other members of the group.

The Main Directorate of the SSU in Donetsk and Luhansk regions carried out the operation together with the National Police under the supervision of Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office.