Employees of the Security Service of Ukraine blocked an illegal scheme with precious stones illegally mined in Ukraine. This was reported in the SBU press center.
As it turned out, the perpetrators processed topaz, beryl and quartz at a jewelry factory, and then illegally exported it for sale abroad. During the searches, operatives seized more than two tons of precious stones.
According to the preliminary investigation, the illegal business was controlled by one of the former high-ranking officials of Yanukovych's time, and organized by the owner of a large jewelry company.
Law enforcement officials established that the suspects illegally mined topaz, beryl, and quartz at the deposits without issuing the corresponding permit documents. The mined precious stones were processed at the company's production facilities and taken to auctions in North America without obtaining permits, as well as sold through one of the most famous chains of jewelry stores in Ukraine.
During investigative actions at the place of production and residence addresses of the offenders, SBU officers discovered and seized more than two tons of precious stones. Criminal proceedings have been initiated under Part 4 of Article 240 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Violation of rules for the protection or use of subsoil).
