Ten suspected thieves-in-law, or elite members of Russia's criminal underworld, were detained after local police busted up a gathering in the Crimean resort town of Yalta, Interfax reported Tuesday.
"Some time ago police learned that several so-called 'thieves-in-law' were planning to hold a meeting on the territory of Crimea in order to redraw their sphere of influence," a police spokesman said in comments carried by Interfax.
The meeting of criminals from various Russian regions was meant to take place in a Yalta hotel, but federal law enforcement officers intervened.
All meeting participants were checked to determine whether or not they were wanted in connection with any crimes.
It was unclear how many of those detained still remain in police custody.
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