A criminal gang involved in large-scale deforestation was uncovered in the Dnipropetrovsk region. (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

A criminal organization led by a crime boss has been uncovered in Dnipropetrovsk region, which had established a network for illegal logging resulting in millions of losses. This was reported by "Vidomo," referring to the National Police of Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk region and Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor's Office.

According to investigators, the "overseer" of the shadow economy in the Pavlohrad and Synelnykove districts headed the criminal organization that carried out mass logging of hardwood trees and recruited six of his acquaintances into the scheme.

The gang leader also involved the head of a public formation whose mission was to protect the forest fund and detect illegal logging. At the same time, using his position, the man covered for his accomplices' criminal activities, removing obstacles for them and exerting pressure on "competitors."

Since the beginning of 2024, they have been illegally cutting hardwood trees in the forests and protective strips of the Pavlohrad and Synelnykove districts. The felled timber was transported to warehouses, where it was cut and sold as firewood. Their actions caused the state millions in damages and irreparable harm to the environment.

More than 100 police officers were involved in the exposure and documentation of the criminals, conducting over thirty authorized searches, during which police documented the 44-year-old group leader and six of his accomplices. Law enforcement also seized timber, tools, trucks and cars, as well as black accounting records and physical evidence confirming the scale of their operations.

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The organizer and six members of the criminal group have been notified of suspicion under Part 1, 2 of Article 255 (creation, leadership of a criminal community or criminal organization, as well as participation in it) and Part 4 of Article 28, Part 4 of Article 246 (illegal logging or illegal transportation, storage, sale of timber, committed by a criminal organization) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Currently, the organizer and two participants of the criminal organization have been placed in custody as a precautionary measure. As for the other individuals involved, the issue of precautionary measures is being resolved.

Investigative actions are ongoing. The involvement of law enforcement in the "protection" scheme is being examined.