The detentions were carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in cooperation with the Federal Security Service. The operation uncovered a far-reaching scheme that shook several links in the traffic policing chain. Individuals from the separate traffic police battalion No. 1 in Aksai, part of the Donskoy unit, along with multiple civilians and former officers, were detained. The Interior Ministry’s press office described the criminal group as extorting money from drivers.
The scheme unfolded on the M-4 Don highway. Accomplices photographed vehicles and, with the aid of graphic editing, created false records alleging traffic violations against unsuspecting drivers. A few kilometers down the road, traffic inspectors awaited the supposed offenses, presenting drivers with the bogus evidence. Drivers, pressured by the fake proofs of guilt, often paid bribes ranging from five thousand to five hundred thousand rubles. Repeatedly, this extortion practice targeted motorists on the stretch of road in question.
Following the evidence gathered, investigators from the First Investigation Department, based in Rostov-on-Don, opened three criminal cases under part six of Article 290 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code, which covers large-scale bribery. Suspects face a potential prison term of up to 15 years. In total, law enforcement officers detained 26 individuals and conducted 95 searches at their homes and business locations.
Efforts to identify and curb corruption crimes continue, according to Irina Volk, a spokesperson for the Russian Interior Ministry.