In Rivne region, the head of a sector of one of the units of the State Service of Geology and Subsoil of Ukraine is suspected of illegal amber mining worth UAH 354 million.
This was reported by the press service of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine in Telegram.
According to the investigation, the official was involved in the activities of a criminal organization that carried out illegal amber mining in Rivne region during 2022-2024.
Photo: pgo_gov_ua
In May, law enforcement officers exposed members of the criminal organisation who, under the guise of geological exploration of mineral deposits, were extracting amber and selling it within the region.
Photo: pgo_gov_ua
In total, seven participants of the illegal organisation were informed of suspicion, among them a former director of one of the branches of SE “Forests of Ukraine”. They are suspected of establishing, leading, and participating in criminal organisations, as well as in illegal extraction of amber by abusing their official position.
Photo: pgo_gov_ua
The pre-trial investigation established the involvement of an official of the State Service of Geology and Mineral Resources of Ukraine in illegal mining of precious stones and participation in a criminal organization.
According to the investigation, his role was to advise the organizers in the selection of sites, support the process of obtaining special permits, prepare documents on behalf of a private company, and organize cooperation with project organizations.
Photo: pgo_gov_ua
All this gave the illegal activity the appearance of legality. In addition, he advised the group members on reporting, documents and responding to law enforcement requests.
The Head of the State Service of Geology and Mineral Resources of Ukraine faces punishment under the following provisions:
1) part 5 of Article 27 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (joint criminal activity);
2) Article 28(4) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (cooperation with a criminal organization);
3) part 3 of Article 240-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (committing a crime that led to grave consequences);
4) part 3 of Article 255 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (a person who is a subject of high criminal influence).
We remind EcoPolitic, readers that minerals of national importance were illegally extracted in Mykolaiv region, which caused the state losses of more than UAH 120 million.
According to the investigation, from January 2024 to September 2025, the director of the company in Bashtanka district, in prior conspiracy with another person, extracted groundwater without the necessary permit for subsoil use.
Subsequently, the extracted resources were used for the production, packaging and sale of drinking water to the population.
