In the second economy of the Soviet Union, a tsekhovik (Russian: цеховик, IPA: [t͡sɨxɐˈvʲik]) was an owner-operator of an illegal, underground tsekh ("factory").
The operation of tsekhoviks was based on the widespread scarcity of consumer goods in the Soviet Union produced by the legal planned economy of the country.
[3] A notable criminal case resulted from Operation 'Cartel' carried out by KGB, which uncovered several major illegal furrier factories in Kazakh SSR.
[4] With the beginning of perestroika, which, among other things, allowed private enterprise, many former tsekhoviks suddenly became wealthy, respectable entrepreneurs, known as "new Russians".
At the same time the growth of criminal enterprise continued well into the history of modern Russia,[4] the driving force being increased profit via tax evasion and violation of various health, safety, etc., codes.