Arrest of Organizer for Illegal Human Smuggling

The organizer was arrested while attempting to transport six clients to the unrecognized Transnistria. He has been charged and is facing significant prison time along with asset confiscation.

This was reported by the police.

Patrol police officers stopped a «KIA Sorento» driven by a 51-year-old man working at a military recruitment center. Inside the vehicle were six men aged between 25 and 30, hailing from various regions of Ukraine.

Investigators found that the driver was orchestrating the illegal transportation of conscripts to the self-proclaimed Transnistria for fees ranging from five to eight thousand dollars. He was acting in collusion with an unidentified individual who was recruiting clients.

The authorities seized the vehicle, detained the driver, and sent the passengers for verification at military enlistment centers.

After gathering sufficient evidence, the investigators charged the driver under Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for organizing illegal transportation of persons across the state border. This crime carries a penalty of up to nine years in prison.

The court has ordered preventive detention with an option for bail set at 240,000 hryvnias, which the suspect did not take advantage of.

Law enforcement is continuing to investigate and identify all individuals involved in this crime.