Criminal Investigation Nears Completion
Law enforcement in the Rivne region is wrapping up its probe into a criminal group that ran an unauthorized amber mining and processing operation. The scheme was orchestrated by a 31-year-old resident of the Sarny district, who brought in five accomplices aged 17 to 43. The group had been active since November 2025, pulling in roughly $40,000 per month.
Police Actions and Seizures
The suspects purchased raw amber extracted from protected natural areas without the required permits. Authorities carried out 10 authorized searches, seizing the following items:
- 656 kg of amber
- electronic scales
- processing equipment
- mobile phones
- a vehicle
- handwritten accounting records
A gemological examination determined that over 80 kg of the seized amber is valued at more than 1.6 million Ukrainian hryvnias, while the overall street market worth of the stones exceeds 1 million hryvnias.
Authorities are now preparing to notify six residents of the Sarny area of suspicion under Article 240-1, Part 2 of Ukraine's Criminal Code. If convicted, they face four to seven years in prison along with asset forfeiture. In April 2024, police had already reported uncovering this group, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat illegal amber mining in Ukraine.
This case underscores the severity of illegal amber mining in Ukraine, which harms both the environment and the economy.
The law enforcement crackdown could mark a key step in fighting organized crime and send a strong warning to other would-be offenders. Moving forward, the investigation and trial will be crucial for upholding the rule of law and protecting the country's natural resources.