A Russian mafia operating in the Tucson and Phoenix areas has been busted after a six-month investigation by Tucson police.
The group of Russian immigrants had opened several pawnshops 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, said Sgt. Mark Robinson, a Tucson Police Department spokesman.
It was determined the group in Tucson was closely connected to another group of Russian immigrants in Phoenix who were operating a pawnshop 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.
People are also reading…
Two of the Tucson warrants were served at the A Zylant Jewelry pawnshops at 1902 S. Craycroft Road and 2008 E. Broadway.
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.
According to authorities, these arrests were made:
● Edgar Feldman, 34. He is facing charges of possession of marijuana for sale, use of electronics in drug transactions and transportation of marijuana for sale. He is being held at the Maricopa County jail. He was associated with Zylant Jewelry Buy and Sell, 1902 S. Craycroft Road.
● Gurgen Arakelov, 23. He is facing charges of trafficking in stolen property and conspiracy to transport marijuana. He was booked into the Pima County jail but was released on his own recognizance Oct. 30. He was also associated with the Zylant Jewelry Buy and Sell on Craycroft.
● Eduard Matatov, 23. He is facing charges of possession of marijuana for sale, use of electronics in drug transactions, 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.
The investigation began in April when authorities arrested a man who claimed he had bought a weapon from the group, according to search-warrant documents filed in court.
The man said he had bought a .50-caliber Desert Eagle handgun from "Russians" who owned a "pawnshop on Craycroft," the documents state.
Another man, who was interviewed in jail in May, told authorities the group received stolen items through their pawnshop, the documents state.
Once authorities verified the accuracy of those statements, they began a series of transactions with the pawnshop that lasted for about six months.
An undercover officer began trading with the group on May 29 when he sold a gold-nugget ring and a 70-gram gold chain to Feldman for $600, the documents stated.
More than a week later, the officer bought a Taurus Revolver handgun from Feldman, the documents state.
The officer sold Feldman and the other men gold, jewelry, alcohol and other items before setting up a deal to sell and transport marijuana to Phoenix. The marijuana would have been transported from Phoenix to New York by another undercover officer, the documents state.
