Ukraine’s anti-corruption investigators reveal new details of alleged criminal network involving senior law enforcement officials (UPDATED)
Ukraine’s anti-corruption investigators have revealed new details of an alleged criminal network involving senior security and law enforcement officials, accused of protecting fraudulent businesses, facilitating drug trafficking and arranging violent attacks, including discussing an acid attack on an investigative journalist.
UPDATE: Later on November 4, Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing law enforcement sources, that anti-corruption investigators had detained SBU General Serhii Duka, a senior official in the agency’s department responsible for protecting national statehood. The outlet previously identified Duka as the official who allegedly threatened NABU detectives with a firearm during a search. NABU has not publicly confirmed his detention in the statements reviewed.
The findings are part of Operation Carthage, the same investigation that prompted searches of senior Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) officials earlier on November 4.
According to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), the organization involved at least 12 people, including current officials from the SBU, National Police and Prosecutor General’s Office, alongside figures from organized crime.
Dozens of fraudulent call centers
Investigators say the network coordinated at least 52 fraudulent call centers employing approximately 2,700 people, defrauding victims in Ukraine and abroad.
Law enforcement officials allegedly received $7,000 per call center per month in protection payments, transferred in cryptocurrency to designated wallets.
NABU also alleges that members of the organization helped protect illegal drug sales, counterfeit cigarette production and the manufacture of fake foreign currency.
The network allegedly used law enforcement connections to access confidential databases, surveillance cameras and information about upcoming searches.
In one case, investigators say a police official helped recover property seized during a search of a call center by arranging for complaints to be assigned to a particular judge.
Alleged threats against investigative journalist
One suspect, identified by investigators under the alias “Mexican,” allegedly controlled the U420 retail chain, which had been investigated by Ukrainian investigative outlet Bihus.Info over the sale of products containing dangerous synthetic drugs.
NABU describes the suspect as a Russian citizen who founded and led the transnational drug trafficking organization Khimprom.
After Bihus.Info investigated U420, the suspect discussed ways to pressure the newsroom’s founder, investigative journalist Denys Bihus, according to recordings released by NABU.
In one recorded conversation, he proposed throwing acid on Bihus to make him “unpresentable.”
Investigators have not reported that such an attack took place.
Bihus.Info previously purchased products from three U420 stores in Kyiv and submitted them for laboratory testing. A Ukrainian Interior Ministry forensic laboratory identified a synthetic cannabinoid classified as a type of “spice.” The substance was subsequently added to Ukraine’s list of prohibited drugs.
Police searched U420 stores in April. NABU alleges that members of the criminal network received advance warning of law enforcement operations.
Alleged bribery and counterfeiting
Investigators say the U420 operator worked with another suspect, identified by the alias “Criminal,” who held a financial stake in the business.
The suspects allegedly discussed paying $500,000 to a government minister and $200,000 to an intermediary to prevent regulatory changes that could threaten the operation. NABU said the bribery plan was not carried out.
The organization also allegedly established a facility in 2026 to manufacture counterfeit euro banknotes using specialized printing equipment and holographic materials.
Beyond financial crimes, investigators accuse members of the network of organizing kidnappings, assaults and other acts of violence on behalf of clients.
Searches of senior security officials
Earlier on November 4, NABU detectives conducted searches involving senior SBU officials as part of Operation Carthage.
NABU said one senior SBU official threatened investigators with a firearm and obstructed a search.
Ukrainska Pravda identified the official allegedly involved in that confrontation as Serhii Duka and reported that searches also targeted Anton Kravchuk, head of the SBU’s Main Directorate of Internal Security.
The National Police has suspended officers implicated in the investigation.
The allegations remain under investigation and have not been established by a court.
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