Law enforcement authorities in Chernivtsi have uncovered a large-scale illegal operation involving the illicit extraction and trafficking of human tissues from deceased individuals. According to investigators, the leadership of the Chernivtsi Regional Bureau of Pathology organized a systematic operation selling anatomical materials to a Kyiv-based biotechnology company, laundering cash payments through a major currency exchange chain.
Investigative agencies identified Dmytro Hrechko, the General Director of the pathology bureau, as the primary organizer of the scheme. Beginning in 2024, the public bureau entered into «service agreements» with Kyiv-based LLC «Probones» (directed by Olena Tonkonoh and owned by Andrii Barkanov).
The private firm positions itself as a producer of allografts—bone and soft tissue transplants derived from human donors for surgical procedures. However, the Chernivtsi bureau lacked the required human tissue bank license and was not listed on the official state registry of transplantation entities.
To execute the operation, pathologists were illegally appointed as transplant coordinators—a clear conflict of interest under Ukrainian law. Dedicated extraction teams systematically harvested musculoskeletal tissues, skin fragments, and ocular corneas. Investigators documented multiple instances where tissues were extracted despite explicit refusals from the deceased individuals’ families, using deceptive tactics to conceal the commercial nature of the operation.
«The case is being prosecuted under Part 5 of Article 143 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal trafficking in human anatomical materials). Suspects manipulated grieving families and conducted unauthorized extractions far outside the legal framework,» law enforcement sources stated.
Harvested biomaterials were sealed into specialized containers and transported across the country to Kyiv and Odesa via passenger rail. Law enforcement has documented the illicit shipment of at least 10 containers filled with donor tissues and corneas.
Payments for the anatomical materials were handled exclusively in cash. Representatives of the buyer transferred funds to Chernivtsi staff through local branches of «KIT Group» (LLC «Liberty Finance»), a major financial and currency exchange platform.
Once collected, the cash was distributed among the key players:
The head of the pathology bureau
Staff pathologists
A laboratory technician acting as a courier and logistical coordinator
In the period between March and July alone, participants netted at least 190,000 UAH in illegal proceeds.
«KIT Group» operates an extensive network of approximately 90 to 98 currency exchange branches across nearly 30 cities in Ukraine. The network previously faced regulatory action when the National Bank of Ukraine revoked the licenses of its associated financial entity following audits that revealed illegal financial transactions and compromised business reputation standards.
Four primary suspects have been formally notified of charges and placed under pretrial detention. If convicted, they face between 5 and 8 years of imprisonment. The investigation remains ongoing.