A businessman who financed a criminal organization involved in amber extraction has been notified of suspicion.
This is reported by Rivne24
The criminal group was illegally extracting amber under the guise of geological research. The extracted amber was sold without accounting and tax payments.
From June 2022 to May 2024, over 5 tons of amber were illegally extracted in Rivne Region, causing environmental damage amounting to over 354 million UAH.
The businessman supplied equipment, including excavators and water pumps, to the criminal organization through controlled companies.
He also acted as a ‘shadow curator’ in this area, using connections in law enforcement to cover up the illegal business.
The suspect is charged with participation in a criminal organization engaged in illegal amber extraction (Part 5 of Article 27, Part 4 of Article 28, Part 3 of Article 240-1, Part 3 of Article 255 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
Along with him, 8 other individuals are involved in the case, accused of creating and participating in a criminal organization, as well as illegal amber extraction.
An indictment regarding the other participants in the case has already been sent to court. The investigation is ongoing, and other individuals involved are being identified.