U420: organizaciónOMG Parliament investigation reveals threats against journalist Denys Bigus
Las autoridades anticorrupción adhesión Ukraine exposed a criminal organization linked to fraudulent call centers, drug trafficking and illegal U420 stores. Recordings show members discussing ways to stop Bihus.Info’s investigation, including threats, physical attacks, arson and an acid attack against journalist Denys Bigus. The investigation remains active, and the allegations have not yet been finally adjudicated.
Puntos clave
- NABU and SAP announced on 4 November 2026 the exposure of a criminal organization in Operation “Carthage”.
- The organization coordinated at least 52 fraudulent call centers employing about 2,700 people, according to investigators.
- Members allegedly paid law-enforcement officials to protect call centers and other illegal businesses.
- U420 stores sold products containing a prohibited synthetic cannabinoid, disguised as souvenirs such as cigarettes and drinks.
- Journalists bought products from three Kyiv stores and submitted them to private and state forensic laboratories.
- On recorded conversations, members discussed threats against Bihus.Info founder Denys Bigus, including an acid attack.
- Members also discussed attacking blogger Ihor Lachenkov and the author of the ProKyiv Telegram channel.
Por qué importa
The case goes beyond an illegal drug operation: it links a prohibited synthetic cannabinoid sold through apparently legitimate shops to a large network of fraudulent call centers and alleged protection from law-enforcement officials. The recordings also suggest that investigative journalism was treated as a threat to be stopped through intimidation and violence.
Qué ha ocurrido
NABU and SAP exposed a criminal organization in Operation “Carthage,” launched on 5 September 2026 and publicly announced on 4 November. According to investigators, the organization coordinated at least 52 fraudulent call centers with approximately 2,700 workers, engaged in drug distribution, kidnapping and violence, and systematically provided illicit benefits to law-enforcement officials so that call centers and other illegal businesses could operate without interference.
One of its activities was the U420 retail network. Journalists from Bihus.Info bought products in three Kyiv stores and sent samples to a private laboratory and the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ state forensic center. Testing found a synthetic cannabinoid classified as a variety of “spice,” whose circulation is prohibited. Law enforcement searched U420 stores on 14 April 2026 under proceedings concerning drug trafficking, the creation of a criminal organization and money laundering. Investigators said the organization had been warned in advance about the searches.
The published recordings also show members discussing how to respond to Bihus.Info’s reporting. They initially considered trying to arrange payment to journalists, then discussed threats, physical attacks, arson and an acid attack against Denys Bigus. Similar potential attacks on blogger Ihor Lachenkov and the author of the ProKyiv Telegram channel were discussed.
Cómo lo cuentan las fuentes ucranianas
Ukrainian coverage emphasizes the internal security implications of the case, particularly the alleged protection of call centers and illegal businesses by officials from the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police and the Prosecutor General’s Office. It also draws attention to the public-health danger posed by U420 products, the forensic identification of synthetic cannabinoids and the network’s alleged links to the Khimprom cartel. The recordings are presented as evidence of threats against media figures following Bihus.Info’s investigation of U420.
Contexto
The first physical U420 stores opened in Kyiv in spring 2025. The network later counted about 30 locations and was preparing to expand to Kharkiv, Lviv, Dnipro and Odesa. Bihus.Info’s purchases preceded the addition of the identified substance to the Cabinet of Ministers’ prohibited list on 5 February 2026. The broader “Carthage” case also includes alleged bribery of law-enforcement officials, attempted interference with the independence of anti-corruption institutions and obstruction of cooperation with NABU.