Cops bust suspected Russian organized crime ring in Tucson
by Sheryl Kornman on Nov. 05, 2008, under Local, SpecialFive men authorities say were operating a Russian criminal syndicate out of Tucson and Phoenix have been arrested. Three of them, police said, live in Tucson.
Tucson police spokesman Sgt. Mark Robinson said Tuesday the investigation was originated in Tucson by the Police Department’s Special Investigations Division.
He said the operation is linked to organized crime in Russia and in New York and that more arrests in the case are expected.
The men are charged with trafficking stolen jewelry, high-value coins, marijuana and other narcotics, he said.
Robinson said the value of items the suspects are accused of trafficking is estimated at more than $100,000.
He did not have an estimate of the value of marijuana and other narcotics the men are accused of transporting or conspiring to transport.
The suspects are also accused of trafficking in weapons stolen in home burglaries.
One of the suspects, Edgar Feldman, 34, of Tucson was jailed in Phoenix on charges of possession of marijuana for sale, use of electronics in a drug transaction and transportation of marijuana for sale.
Feldman has a record of 25 motor vehicle violations in Pima County over the last few years, some for driving without insurance, according to online court records.
Gurgen Arakelov, 23, who was arrested in Tucson on Oct. 29, was released from the Pima County Jail the next day on his own recognizance.
He was charged with trafficking in stolen property, and two counts of conspiracy to transport marijuana.
Bergey Yeroshkin, 31, of Tucson was jailed in Phoenix on charges of transportation and of possession of marijuana for sale.
Police said Feldman operated a business, Zylant Jewelry Buy and Sell, 1902 S. Craycroft Road.
The company’s Web site says “we pay top dollar for your gold and more.”
It also says it “recycles a wide variety of items from engagement rings to electronic components, car systems, diamonds, precious gems.”
The business operates as a pawn shop and a direct sales shop, and the Web site says it supplements its “retail store offerings with online auctions using venues such as eBay.”
The two other suspects are from Phoenix.
Police said Eduardo Matatov, 23, of Phoenix is jailed there on charges of possession of marijuana for sale and possession of a weapon during a drug offense.
Georgiy Yagudayev, 24, of Phoenix was jailed in Phoenix on charges of possession and of transportation of marijuana for sale.
The Special Investigations Division here has been working on the case with Phoenix police for six months, Robinson said.
