Arrests were made:Edgar Feldman, 34. He is facing charges of possession of marijuana for sale, use of electronic in drug transaction and transportation of marijuana for sale. He is being held at the Maricopa County jail.Gurgen Arakelov, 23. He is facing charges of trafficking in stolen property and conspiracy to transport marijuana. He is being held at the Pima County jail.Eduardo Mataov, 23. He is facing charges of possession of marijuana for sale, use of electronic in drug transaction, transportation of marijuana for sale and possession of a weapon during a drug offense. He is being held at the Maricopa County jail.Georgiy Yagudayev, 24. He is facing charges of possession of marijuana for sale and transportation of marijuana for sale. He is being held at the Maricopa County jail.Bergey Yeroshkin, 31. He is facing charges of possession of marijuana for sale and transportation of marijuana for sale. He is being held at the Maricopa County jail.Russian crime mafia operating in the Tucson and Phoenix areas has been busted after a six-month investigation by Tucson police.
The large group of Russian immigrants had opened several pawn shops that were being used as fronts to traffic stolen property, police said Tuesday.
The members also are believed to have been involved in burglaries as well as weapons and narcotics violations.
The bust was made after undercover officers infiltrated the group and began trading and selling purported stolen merchandise to the owners of the stores, according to Sgt. Mark Robinson, a Tucson Police Department spokesman.
It was determined that the group in Tucson was closely connected to another group of Russian immigrants in Phoenix who were operating a pawn shop there, Robinson said.
On Oct. 29, four search warrants were served in Tucson — two at pawn businesses and two at residences. Three search warrants were served in Phoenix.
As a result, authorities seized stolen handguns, other weapons, purported high-value coins and jewelry, narcotics, marijuana and other items.
The organized crime group has national and international connections with money transfers going to Russia and New York, police say.