The SSU continues to fight against organized crime that threatens Ukraine’s state security amidst the ongoing war.

As a result of a special operation in Poltava region, the SSU neutralized a powerful criminal group that terrorized and intimidated local population.

The group organized large-scale sale of drugs and psychotropics in the region.

Large batches of prohibited substances were sold through an extensive network of drug dealers or using a system of so-called ‘dead drops’.

Hundreds of thousands of hryvnias of illegal profits were collected to the thieves’ ‘coffers’ to support criminals and expand their influence to other regions.

The gang members were also actively arming themselves. To do this, they organized a clandestine workshop for changing traumatic pistols into combat guns.

According to intelligence, the criminals intimidated people to prevent them from reporting the gang’s activities to law enforcement agencies.

In such cases, the mobsters threatened locals with violence or murder.

According to the investigation, the group consisted of up to 10 individuals and included members who had previously been convicted for serious crimes.

They were led by a local crime boss, who was trying to recruit new members to the gang.

During the 17 searches at the suspects’ homes and vehicles, the law enforcement found unregistered weapons and drugs prepared for sale.

Basing on the results of the investigation, the SSU notified the organizer and six active members of the group of suspicion of offences under four Articles of the CCU:

• 263.1 (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives);
• 263-1.2 (illegal manufacture, changing or repair of firearms or falsification, illegal removal or alteration of their markings, or illegal manufacture of ammunition, explosives or explosive devices);
• 306.2 (use of funds obtained from illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues, precursors, poisonous or potent substances or poisonous or potent medicines);
• 307.2 (illegal production, manufacture, purchase, storage, transportation, sending or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues).

The decisions on serving notices of suspicion to other members of the group and on choosing custody as a measure of restraint are pending.

The SSU Poltava Office carried out the operation and investigative activities jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.