National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) detectives have arrested General Serhiy Duka, a senior official within the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), as part of a sweeping investigation into a criminal network orchestrating fraudulent call centers and organized crime. The operation, dubbed “Carthage,” centers on allegations that high-ranking law enforcement officials provided systemic protection for illicit activities in exchange for large-scale bribes, according to reports by BBC.
Arrest of General Serhiy Duka and Internal Security Raids
General Duka, who served as the first deputy head of the SBU’s Department for the Protection of National Statehood, was taken into custody following a series of tense confrontations during authorized searches. NABU reported on November 4 that a high-ranking SBU official threatened detectives with a firearm to block access to a search site, later identified in reports by Ukrainian Truth as Duka.
On the same day, investigators conducted searches at the office of Anton Kravchuk, the head of the SBU’s Main Directorate of Internal Security. Acting SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad announced on the evening of November 4 that he had dismissed two high-ranking service members implicated in the NABU investigation, though he did not publicly name them at the time.
Allegations of Organized Crime and Police Complicity
NABU investigators allege that the criminal organization facilitated a wide range of illegal operations, including the management of fraudulent call centers employing many people. The syndicate’s reach also encompassed the production of counterfeit cigarettes, forged currency, and a significant drug trafficking operation. Detectives established that the syndicate intensified its activity following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Tsenov is identified in 54 minutes of audio recordings released by NABU on November 4 as "Price," an operative responsible for shielding call centers from law enforcement intervention.
On November 4, 2026, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) detained Serhiy Duka, a general with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), as part of an operation codenamed "Operation Carthage." Duka is accused of threatening to use a firearm and obstructing law… pic.twitter.com/KlkKb0kj6U
Expanding Operations into Drugs and Threats
The syndicate’s scope extended beyond call centers to include drug trafficking and racketeering. According to investigators, “Criminal” managed the collection of monthly bribes paid in cryptocurrency, which ensured that participating call centers operated without the threat of police raids. The organization even targeted journalist Denys Bihus for physical retaliation following his investigation into U420, a retail chain allegedly owned by a figure known as “The Mexican” that sold substances containing cannabis derivatives.
Challenging Officials over Corruption Protections
The Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) expects to petition the court for a preventive measure against General Duka. The investigation suggests that the protection scheme extended to the Office of the Prosecutor General, creating a multi-agency shield for illicit profits.
Identifying the Key Coordinator
Who is the primary figure behind the “Carthage” criminal network?
Investigators identified a man referred to as “Criminal” (Andriy Osipov) as a central coordinator who maintained extensive ties to high-ranking law enforcement officials. He was previously arrested in July 2026 for his role in brokering bribes to influence extradition and legal outcomes.
What was the role of the call centers in this scheme? The organization managed fraudulent call centers that paid monthly bribes per center to officials in the SBU, National Police, and Prosecutor General’s Office.
SBU General Serhiy Duka Detained in Ukraine Following Investigation into Bribes for Protecting Fraudulent Call Centers Officers from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) have detained Brigadier General Serhiy Duka, First Deputy Head of the Department for the… pic.twitter.com/WJV07c4GI9
What is the status of the investigation into the threats against journalists?
NABU identified that members of the criminal organization planned physical violence against journalist Denys Bihus, following his reporting on the U420 retail network and its involvement in the sale of narcotics.
⚡️ The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) is conducting a search of SBU General Serhiy Duka. Duka serves as the First Deputy Head of the SBU’s Department for the Protection of National Statehood. In July 2025, he was one of the organizers of large-scale searches… pic.twitter.com/yELt3irvac
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