Odesa detains suspect in forgery of passports for transportation of people abroad

Police officers in Odesa have disclosed a group of people suspected of organizing a scheme to illegally cross the state border of Ukraine by men of military age using forged passports of citizens of other countries.

According to the press service of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Odesa region, law enforcement officers documented that the offenders were looking for clients among conscripts using the Telegram messenger and closed online communities.

The cost of their services was estimated at more than USD 10 thousand. Law enforcement officers conducted a series of searches at the offenders' residences and cars. Cash in the amount of almost USD 10 thousand, a minibus, a mobile phone and documents were seized.

As a result, one of the participants was detained and served a notice of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 332 (Illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. He faces up to nine years in prison with disqualification to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years and confiscation of property. The issue of choosing a preventive measure in the form of detention is currently being considered.

Earlier, the patrol police had to call several additional crews to detain the man and take him to the territorial center for recruitment and social support.

Investigators also sent to court the case of a man who was detained while trying to transport five conscripts abroad and bribing border guards. Investigators seized as material evidence the vehicle in which the offender transported the clients, the mobile phone used to communicate with them, the boats, and the money paid to the border guard.

Кирило Бойко