Police detain a human smuggler for 11 thousand dollars

Law enforcement officers in Odesa region have detained a man on suspicion of smuggling men liable for military service across the state border of Ukraine.

This was reported by the press service of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Odesa region.

According to the investigation, the man helped those wishing to illegally get to Moldova in exchange for an $11,000 fee. The man was served a notice of suspicion and a pre-trial restraint was imposed. He faces imprisonment with confiscation of property for his actions.

Law enforcement officers established that a 45-year-old resident of Odesa organized a scheme of illegal transportation of men abroad. Together with his currently unidentified accomplices, he found two clients from Odesa region, who were offered a transfer to the border with Moldova, bypassing official checkpoints, and instructions on how to safely cross the border on foot to avoid meeting border guards.

The cost of these services was 11 thousand dollars per person. The police procedurally detained the suspect when he was driving his own car to the Ukrainian-Moldovan border.

Border guards drew up reports against the passengers for attempting to illegally cross the state border of Ukraine under Article 204-1 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses. The offenders face a fine or administrative arrest.

According to the sanction of Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, this crime is punishable by imprisonment for up to nine years with disqualification to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years and confiscation of property. The court imposed on the suspect a custodial measure of restraint with the right to be released on bail.

Кирило Бойко