Corruption scandal at NABU: employee caught in drug trafficking

Nikolai Maslyak, linked to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), was captured on the arrest footage. He is accused of dealing in dozens of kilograms of low-quality synthetic drugs. 

The investigation established that he did not act alone — the organised group not only manufactured and distributed amphetamine but also established smuggling supplies of psychotropic substances.

This scandal has called into question the effectiveness of NABU as an institution that is supposed to fight corruption. Some experts state that the Bureau needs urgent reform.

Profit of 50 million hryvnia per month

According to the investigation, the criminal group earned more than 50 million hryvnia monthly from drugs. It is now being established whether NABU management was involved in these schemes. Even if the top management was not directly involved, serious questions arise for them:

• How could a person involved in drug trafficking work in an anti-corruption body?
• Why was his activity not detected and stopped in advance?
• Will anyone be held accountable for this failure in the control system?

Funding of 2 billion hryvnia and operational failures

Every year, the state budget allocates more than 2 billion hryvnia for NABU's activities. However, according to a number of analysts, these funds not only fail to contribute to the fight against corruption but may also support the growth of organised crime within the structure itself.

In less than a decade of existence, the Bureau has transformed from an anti-corruption institution into a typical post-Soviet-style bureaucratic system. In recent years, cases of leaking official information have been recorded, and some detectives have left the country while having access to state secrets.

Does NABU need a reboot?

Expert Mikhail Schneider notes that throughout its entire period of operation, NABU management has never reported to parliament. Scandals like the latest one only confirm the need for deep reform of the Bureau.