Dmytro Torgal confirms personal threats from leader of criminal group 'Khimprom'

Recording contents: calls for violence and financial offers

In materials published by the National Police on 22 April 2026, an audio recording features Yehor Levchenko, leader of the transnational criminal group 'Khimprom', known by the nickname 'Mexican', saying: "Бісить сильно тупа мразота, завтра знову обшуки. Пішов ти на х**, Торгало. 500 тисяч доларів, якщо дружину обіллють кислотою" (I am very pissed off at this stupid scum, there are searches again tomorrow. Go to hell, Torgalo. 500 thousand dollars if they pour acid on his wife).

Mykola Karas, a prosecutor at the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, commenting on new NABU tapes as part of Operation Carthage, confirmed that these threats were directed at Dmytro Torgal, head of the National Police's Department for Combating Drug Crime.

Police officer confirms threats

In additional recordings, Yehor Levchenko (Burkin) discusses the possibility of removing Torgal from his post, offering two million dollars for it. This conversation takes place against the background of discussions about upcoming searches in stores where, according to the investigation, drugs were being sold.

Dmytro Torgal, who was contacted by journalists, confirmed the fact of personal threats. He stated that the threats extended to his subordinates: "Погрожували моїм співробітникам також. Була навіть акція — пропонували 500 тисяч доларів тим, хто придумає спосіб щось зі мною зробити" (They threatened my employees too. There was even a campaign — they offered 500 thousand dollars to anyone who could come up with a way to do something to me).

The police officer noted that his family is against him continuing to work in this field: "Моя сім’я проти, щоб я цим займався, кожна сім’я буде проти, якщо є загроза для людини, ми тут розійшлись в думках, я продовжую роботу. Заходи безпеки ми вжили" (My family is against me doing this, every family would be against it if there is a threat to a person, we disagreed on this, I continue working. We have taken security measures).

He added that as a private individual, he was shocked to learn from the recordings about the involvement of police officers. At the same time, Torgal expressed the opinion that 90% of the police are normal people.

Context: who is 'Mexican' and what is 'Khimprom'

'Khimprom' is a drug cartel specialising in the production and distribution of synthetic drugs, in particular mephedrone and alpha-PVP (salt). The use of these substances causes aggression and inappropriate behaviour. The structure also coordinates networks of fraudulent call centres.

Yehor Levchenko holds dual citizenship — Russian and Ukrainian. According to Russian documents, he is listed as Yehor Burkin, and according to Ukrainian documents — as Yehor Levchenko. He was arrested in Russia and later released, after which he fled to Ukraine. He is currently hiding in Mexico. He is wanted in Ukraine and is a subject of several criminal proceedings. In December 2023, the President of Ukraine imposed personal sanctions against him.