On November 4, 2026, NABU and SAP disclosed information about a criminal syndicate that had been operating in Ukraine for years without hindrance. This drug syndicate, which has Russian links, managed a network of fraudulent call centers, utilizing corrupt connections with officials from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Police.
Structure of the Criminal Syndicate
According to the investigation, the syndicate was led by a Russian fugitive known as the founder of the transnational drug cartel "Khimprom." His Ukrainian partner was a local recidivist known as "Criminal." Together, they organized a large-scale business that included:
- 52 fraudulent call centers;
- 2700 employees;
- drug trafficking;
- a clandestine workshop for printing counterfeit euros.
Corruption Ties with Law Enforcement
Members of the organization had close ties with law enforcement, for which they paid millions of dollars in cryptocurrency each month. Specifically, from one call center, they transferred about $7000. These payments ensured absolute immunity for the criminals, who received:
- warnings about state inspections;
- assistance in resolving court issues;
- access to city surveillance cameras.
Response to the Investigation
When anti-corruption agencies began investigating the syndicate's activities, corrupt law enforcement officials started fabricating cases against NABU detectives in an attempt to discredit their work. This situation highlights serious issues of corruption within Ukraine's law enforcement agencies, which jeopardize the fight against organized crime.