Law enforcers detain three smugglers in Odesa region

Law enforcement officers detained three men in Odesa region who are suspected of organizing the illegal transportation of persons liable for military service abroad.

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

According to the police, two residents of Odesa and a resident of Bereziv district aged 45, 44 and 39 are engaged in the smuggling of men liable for military service abroad bypassing checkpoints. Two of them have been convicted of theft and drug crimes.

In turn, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine stated that the organizer of the scheme was an Armenian citizen. He allegedly involved two of his acquaintances in illegal activities.

The accomplices found a 26-year-old client, who was promised safe escort to Moldova for $6,500. The young man was consulted on his escape actions both in Ukraine and abroad, and sent with one of the guides to the state border.

On the day of the transfer, the man paid $500 in advance. The offenders were to receive another $6,000 from him after a successful deal.

Theoffenders were detained simultaneously in a village directly bordering Moldova and in Odesa. In particular, the village of Kruty in Podil district. The detainee was trying to smuggle a man of military age across the Transnistrian segment of the Ukrainian-Moldovan border, having previously accompanied him by public transport.

Money in national and foreign currencies, mobile phones and other items of interest to the investigation were seized from them and their places of residence.

Investigators served the defendants a notice of suspicion of organizing illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine, directing such actions or facilitating their commission by giving advice, instructions, providing means and removing obstacles, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, for mercenary motives. According to the sanction of Article 332(3) 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 with confiscation of property. The court imposed on the suspects custody as a measure of restraint with the right to be released on bail in the amount of UAH 600 thousand each.

Кирило Бойко