Arrest of Organizers of Illegal Border Crossing

Police officers, in collaboration with border guards, uncovered two residents of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district who assisted military conscripts in illegally crossing the Ukrainian border. The perpetrators, which included a minor, charged 7,000 dollars to help a "client" reach Moldova outside official checkpoints. They face potential imprisonment and asset confiscation.

Law enforcement reported that two young men, aged 18 and 17 from the Petropavlivska community, conspired with an unidentified person to smuggle a conscripted man to Moldova, whom they found through an advertisement in a messenger app offering paid "services" for border crossing. The 18-year-old met the "client" in a locality of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district, received the first payment of 4,000 dollars, and sent the "client" by bus to the minor accomplice. The 17-year-old received the second payment of 3,000 dollars and provided accommodation until nightfall. During the night, the minor was supposed to guide the man to the state border, avoiding checkpoints. However, as soon as the criminals received the money, law enforcement apprehended them.

"Investigators seized a number of pieces of evidence confirming their involvement in the crime, including the money obtained illegally. Based on the collected evidence, the young men were charged with facilitating the illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine by providing instructions, means, and removing obstacles, through prior conspiracy by a group for mercenary motives. According to part 3 of article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the offenders face up to nine years of imprisonment and confiscation of property. The court has chosen preventive measures for the suspects: the older one is detained, while the younger one is under round-the-clock house arrest," the statement said.

Efforts are underway to identify all individuals involved in this crime. The investigation continues.