The SBU blocked activity of a well-known ethnic organized criminal group in the region including government officials.

It was established that members of the group involved regional officials of the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre (StateGeoCadastre) in illegal activity. Allegedly, the offenders initiated sham inspections of state enterprises and commercial structures over compliance with land legislation. As a result, they imposed significant sanctions. However, for paying interest on the amount, the offenders promised "violators" to cancel the fines.

In case of refusal to "cooperate", the group members threatened the victims with violence. SBU officers documented several cases of criminals extorting money from entrepreneurs for non-payment of fines.

According to findings, the offenders, assisted by the officials, also extorted kickbacks from land valuation companies. In particular, they demanded almost UAH 90 thousand (USD 3.2 thousand) from a businessman deliberately accused of violation of land laws.

Downtown the city of Zaporizhzhia, within ongoing criminal proceedings law enforcement officers detained the organizer and a member of the criminal group while receiving part of the tribute.

During searches of offenders’ residences and offices, secret ledgers proving illegal activity of the group, computer and communication equipment, unregistered smoothbore and traumatic weapons were seized.

The organizer and member of the group received a suspicion notice on corruption charges.

The investigation is ongoing to prosecute other group members and verify their involvement in high-profile crimes committed in the region.

The operation was conducted by the SBU jointly with investigators of the National Police under the supervision of the Prosecutor General's Office.