The group consisted of three people. The underground workshop was organized in a rented room on the territory of one of the non-functioning Kyiv plants. The attackers sold one unit of weapons and explosives for $ 800.
Employees of the GSU of the National Police under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea conducted a number of investigative and operational-search activities. As a result, law enforcement officers exposed a criminal organization whose members were engaged in the illegal manufacture, storage and sale of firearms, ammunition and explosives.
This organized group operated during 2017-2018 and was characterized by cohesion, stability, clear division of roles and a rigid management vertical.
Currently, the police have established that the organized criminal group included three citizens of Ukraine: one leader and two executors. In particular, the head of the group organized the production process, ensured security and secrecy during the sale of «goods». The other two OZG members were directly involved in the manufacture and sale of the devices.
An underground workshop for the illegal manufacture and storage of firearms, explosives, and ammunition was organized in a rented premises on the territory of a non-functioning metropolitan plant. During the pre-trial investigation, it was established that the attackers converted the starting pistols into combat pistols. The price for one unit of weapons and explosives was $ 800. The attackers organized sales throughout Ukraine.
Law enforcement officers conducted six authorized searches of the suspects’ residences and illegal weapons. During the searches, they found and seized four grenade launchers, two flamethrowers, three electric detonators, six rifles, three automatic weapons, two large-caliber shells, 37 pistols, 30 grenades, a kilogram of TNT and about 14.8 thousand rounds of ammunition of various calibers.
All members of the OZG were detained in accordance with Art. 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
Investigators of the Main Investigation Department of the National Police have completed the pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings under Part 3 of Art. 28 (Committing a criminal offense by a group of persons, a group of persons by prior conspiracy, an organized group or a criminal organization), Part 1 of Art. 263 (Illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives) and Part 3 of Art. 263-1 (Illegal manufacture, processing or repair of firearms or falsification, illegal removal or change of its marking, or illegal manufacture of ammunition, explosives or explosive devices) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The indictment against the defendants was sent to court. The sanction of articles incriminated to members of a criminal group provides for imprisonment for up to twelve years.
Communication Department of the National Police of Ukraine
(according to the Main Investigation Department)
