MOSCOW, June 2 (RAPSI, Lyudmila Klenko) – A criminal case over theft of 177,000 metric tons of minerals in Russia's city of Novorossiysk has been forwarded to a court for hearing, the press-service of the Interior Ministry informs on Friday.

Investigators with the Krasnodar regional office of the Interior Ministry have completed a preliminary probe into six alleged members of an organized group who stay charged with carrying out illegal business operations, theft, and money laundering, the statement reads.

According to investigators, in November 2015 through May 2016 the defendants led by a Novorossiysk resident, 53, stole over 177 thousand metric tons of marlstone thus causing the state to suffer damage in the amount of more than 48 million rubles (about $850,000 at the current exchange rate); nevertheless, the accused could gain only 28 million rubles (around $490,000). Besides, they laundered 13 million rubles ($230,000) of their illegal income by making fictitious contracts with transport organizations under their control.

In order to recover damage caused to the state, investigators seized the money the alleged gang members had on the bank accounts of organizations under their control and other assets used by them in their illegal activities, the press-service stresses in the statement.

At present, three persons are in custody and others are under travel restrictions, the Interior Ministry says.