Illegal Sand Extraction in Odesa Region: Case Updates

Prosecutors from the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office have concluded the investigation into members of a criminal group involved in illegal sand extraction near the village of Bessarabskoye in the Bolgrad district of Odesa region. The area of the quarry where the illegal activities took place is 67 hectares.

They have been charged with illegal extraction of locally significant minerals and money laundering (Part 4 of Article 240, Parts 1 and 2 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The investigation revealed that the group members organized sand extraction without any permits, using heavy machinery, and subsequently sold it as a legal product.

The criminals sold the sand to trusted buyers and at construction markets, creating the illusion of a fully legal business.

The organizer of the operation turned out to be a local entrepreneur engaged in the trade of construction materials. He involved two acquaintances who operated the machinery at the quarry and a driver for transporting the sand.

As a result of the illegal actions of the accused, the environment suffered damages amounting to nearly 900,000 hryvnias.

The offenders were apprehended in September 2024 during the illegal extraction of minerals.

The pre-trial investigation was conducted by detectives from the Main Directorate of the National Police in Odesa region, with operational support from the Strategic Investigations Department.

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner.