Odesa region detains smuggler of men abroad with a prosecutor's certificate

Police officers detained a man in Odesa region on suspicion of organizing a channel for smuggling conscripts abroad.

According to the press service of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Odesa Oblast, police officers and border guards detained the man at a checkpoint.

At the request of law enforcement officers to present documents for verification, the driver of the car actually provided an official ID of a prosecutor from one of the departments of the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office, and presented his two passengers as witnesses who accompanied him to be present during the procedural actions.

PHOTO: Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office

The police became suspicious about the authenticity of the document. Therefore, they called investigators, who later found that the 41-year-old unemployed native of the Bolhrad district, using a fake law enforcement officer's ID, had organized the illegal transportation of men of military age across the state border of Ukraine, in prior conspiracy with an unidentified person. The cost of services ranged from 12 to 14 thousand dollars. The money from the clients was to be transferred to the dealer's e-wallet after a successful transaction.

PHOTO: Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office

The police seized the document, which was sent for examination, as well as mobile phones and a car as material evidence. The issue of seizing the property is being decided.

The man was served a notice of suspicion of:

• Organization of illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine, management of such actions and facilitation of their commission by instructions, provision of means and removal of obstacles, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, for mercenary motives;
• Unauthorized assignment of authority or the title of an official using the official ID of a law enforcement officer;
• Using a knowingly forged document.

If proven guilty in court, the man faces a maximum of nine years in prison with disqualification to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years and confiscation of property.

At the request of the investigators, the court imposed a pre-trial restraint in the form of detention.

Кирило Бойко