The leader of the transnational criminal group “KhimProm”, Yehor Levchenko, nicknamed “the Mexican”, personally threatened Dmytro Torhalo, head of the National Police Department for Combating Drug Crime, and offered $2 million to have him removed from his post.
The department head confirmed this in a comment to “Slidstvo.Info”.
Recordings held by the National Police and new NABU tapes from Operation “Carthage” say that Levchenko discussed upcoming searches of shops and offered a reward for Torhalo’s dismissal.
Mykola Karas, a prosecutor with the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, confirmed to journalists that the materials refer specifically to the head of the Department for Combating Drug Crime. According to Torhalo, the criminals also threatened his subordinates and offered $500,000 to anyone who could come up with a way to harm him or attack his wife.
The police officer said he had taken all necessary security measures and continues to do his job, although his family is against it because of the constant threat. Commenting on information about the involvement of certain law enforcement officers in the syndicate’s actions, Torhalo said he was shocked by these facts, but is convinced of the integrity of the majority of police staff.
Case details
- In April this year, law enforcement announced they had uncovered the activities of the “KhimProm” group, which combined drug trafficking, fraudulent call centres and violent crimes.
- According to the investigation, drugs were sold through a chain of shops under the “U420” brand. Officially, they sold CBD products, but in reality psychotropic substances were produced, packaged and sold there.
- The group’s organiser, Yehor Burkin (Levchenko), is on an international wanted list and is also subject to personal sanctions imposed by the National Security and Defence Council. At present, the suspect is hiding from investigators in Mexico.
- On 4 November, NABU and SAPO published details of the exposure, as part of Operation “Carthage”, of a new criminal organisation. It included law enforcement officers and members of the criminal underworld, and specialised in keeping illegal call centres running and distributing drugs, as well as in economic crimes.
- Oleksandr Abakumov, head of NABU’s detective department, reported that the criminal organisation had at least 12 members. Among them: “Kryminal” — the likely founder and leader, a person with a criminal past and present. He has three convictions; “the Mexican” — the founder of “KhimProm”. He is wanted; Kryminal’s subordinates “Boxer” and Pasha, who carried out the dirty work; “Price” — one of the heads of the National Police Department of Strategic Investigations; “Consultant” — another police officer who, according to NABU, coordinated certain areas of illegal activity; “Akim” — a senior SBU official who provided protection from attention from colleagues.
- On 5 November, the High Anti-Corruption Court remanded “Price” and “Boxer” in custody.