Three channels of smuggling abroad exposed in Odesa region

The Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police have dismantled seven new mobilization evasion schemes, three of which are in Odesa region.

According to the press service of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Odesa region, the courts imposed on the suspects pre-trial restraints in the form of detention with the right to be released on bail and house arrest.

According to the investigation, in one case, a 28-year-old Odesa resident organized the smuggling of men of military age across the state border of Ukraine outside checkpoints, involving several acquaintances. The accomplices found two clients, discussed with them the plan of action, payment procedure and conditions of secrecy during the trip, assuring them of the reliability of their services, which cost $5,000. The suspects were detained while receiving a $2,000 deposit in a cafe in the regional center.

Another 27-year-old resident of Odesa offered the men documents entitling them to a deferment from military service for health reasons, followed by unimpeded departure across the state border of Ukraine, in exchange for $5,000. Law enforcement officers stopped his activities when he was organizing the smuggling of one client. As soon as the man received the agreed amount in two tranches, gave the man what he had promised and advised him on the behavior of the checkpoint, law enforcement officers detained the offender in a procedural manner.

In addition, law enforcement officers exposed two more residents of Odesa - a 40-year-old man and his 28-year-old accomplice - in organizing illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine. They planned to transport a client in a trunk outside checkpoints to the Ukrainian-Moldovan border for $4,500 and show him a forest trail to the neighboring country. However, the criminals were prevented from completing their criminal scheme by a halfway stop of the car with the man and the traveler hidden in the trunk.

Investigators served all the offenders a notice of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. It is the organization of illegal transportation, as well as the transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine, management of such actions, facilitating their commission by advice, instructions, provision of funds, for mercenary motives, by prior conspiracy by a group of persons. The sanction 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 with confiscation of property.

Кирило Бойко