Unveiling a Sophisticated Criminal Network
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) have uncovered a complex criminal syndicate as part of Operation 'Carthage.' This network implicated active senior figures from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Office of the Prosecutor General, the National Police, as well as organized crime groups. Their illicit activities spanned fraudulent call centers, drug trafficking, counterfeit goods production, kidnappings, and violent assaults. The pre-trial investigation remains ongoing.
Investigators determined that the syndicate was founded by a repeatedly convicted individual known as "Criminal." The group included at least 12 core members. A key associate, nicknamed "Mexican," is a Russian citizen and the founder of the transnational narcotics cartel "KhimProm." Wanted by Russian authorities since 2016 and by Ukrainian law enforcement since 2019, Mexican is also suspected of collaborating with Russia's FSB during the full-scale war.
Corruption and Criminal Operations Shielded by Officials
High-ranking officials played a critical role in shielding the organization. These include an SBU Major General, the head of the National Police’s Strategic Investigations Department known as "Price," and a police officer referred to as "Consultant." The typical monthly bribe for protecting each call center was $7,000. The syndicate coordinated at least 52 call centers employing approximately 2,700 workers. Between October 16, 2025, and April 25, 2026, Criminal's crypto wallet received 3.75 million USDT. However, the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv controversially returned seized assets from a call center after five identical appeals were filed.
During summer 2026, SBU officials were involved in attempts to undermine the independence of anti-corruption agencies. At that time, Price and the SBU general warned Criminal to temporarily halt call center operations, with the general suggesting the use of safe houses for concealment. Additionally, the group controlled a chain of stores called U-420 that sold solutions containing banned substances. These stores were owned by Mexican, while Criminal earned a percentage of the revenue.
The suspects also schemed to bribe a government minister to prevent the prohibition of the solution’s formula. This plot was thwarted by investigative journalism from Bihus.Info.
- Conversations revealed plans to harm a journalist, including the use of acid.
- They discussed targeting a former prisoner from Mariupol born in 1997.
- The syndicate was linked to orchestrated torture and abduction cases.
In July 2026, three masked assailants attacked a man with a metal pipe near a gym in central Kyiv. The victim was tracked via the 'Safe City' surveillance system using an account from an SBU Department of National State Protection employee. The police officer Consultant reported that there was no plan to intercept the attack. Two perpetrators had previously been connected to a kidnapping case involving a coal industry businessman, who was extorted for $5 million. It should be noted that many crimes fall outside NABU’s jurisdiction. The investigation continues.
“Yes, we need to change locations, move to safe houses, and operate covertly,” a senior SBU official stated.
This revelation of a criminal enterprise embedded with senior law enforcement officers highlights significant weaknesses in Ukraine’s anti-corruption system. The cooperation between criminal groups and state officials severely undermines public trust in institutions responsible for upholding law and order. Thorough examination of documents and testimonies in this case could prove pivotal for exposing and dismantling entrenched corrupt networks within the government.
The investigation into the criminal syndicate has revealed not only the depth of corruption among high-ranking officials but also the extensive network of illicit activities they facilitated. For a more detailed understanding of how these officials were complicit in shielding the organization from justice, explore our article on the corruption network exposed by NABU and SAP.