The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), in coordination with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), has notified five members of a criminal organization, uncovered during Operation "Carthage," of suspicion. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the NABU press office. According to the investigation, the scheme involved active officials from several law enforcement agencies, allowing the group to operate under their protection.
Structure of the criminal organization
According to case materials, the criminal organization was founded by a previously convicted citizen. He recruited active officials from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Office of the Prosecutor General, the National Police, and representatives of the criminal underworld. Thus, the scheme involved individuals holding positions in state law enforcement structures, which, according to investigators, provided the organization with protection.
Areas of activity: from call centers to counterfeit currency
Under the cover of law enforcement, the organization members ran fraudulent call centers that deceived Ukrainian citizens and foreigners. Furthermore, investigators say the group dealt in narcotics and illegal production of counterfeit cigarettes and fake foreign currency. NABU previously released video footage documenting the operations of this criminal organization, which, according to investigators, provided illicit benefits to law enforcement officials.
Officials in the scheme: SBU, Prosecutor General's Office, and police
The investigation established that active SBU, National Police, and Prosecutor General's Office officials were involved. Their involvement, according to NABU, allowed the organization to function under cover and receive illicit gains. The official press releases indicate that five members have been notified of suspicion, including, according to investigators, active law enforcement officers.
General's arrest and personnel decisions within the SBU
As part of the same Operation "Carthage," NABU officers detained General Serhii Duka, the First Deputy Head of the Department for the Protection of National Statehood of the SBU. Meanwhile, SBU Head Vasyl Maliuk (Olexander Poklad in original text) dismissed two high-ranking officials of the special service who became subjects of the NABU investigation under this operation.
Thus, Operation "Carthage" continues to unfold: following the exposure of the structure and the release of video evidence, investigative bodies have moved to the stage of notifying specific participants of suspicion, including those holding positions within law enforcement agencies.
