A 19-year-old resident of Transcarpathia organized the sending of evaders to Romania via the Tisza River
On June 16, law enforcement officers in Zakarpattia dismantled a network involved in the illegal smuggling of men of draft age across the state border. According to the investigation, the 19-year-old ringleader was detained while attempting to smuggle people into Romania for $4,000.
The illegal “business” was organized by two young men from the Rakhiv district—the 19-year-old organizer and his 21-year-old accomplice.
The traffickers found “clients” from various regions of Ukraine via the internet. They instructed the men on how to reach Transcarpathia while bypassing checkpoints and border posts. After that, a meeting was arranged where those wishing to flee abroad handed over the money to the organizer. Then, the older of the two suspects would escort the “client” on foot to the border.
The accomplices were caught while attempting to smuggle another client, who had paid $4,000, across the Tisa River into Romania. Law enforcement officers recorded the money transfer and detained the suspects.
They are currently in custody and have been charged. The investigation is ongoing. If the young men are found guilty in court, they face imprisonment for a term of 7 to 9 years, the State Border Guard Service clarified.
Earlier, a court in Volyn sentenced a serviceman to five years in prison for twice leaving his post without authorization (desertion) after participating in combat operations and sustaining injuries.
Employees of the State Bureau of Investigations have completed the pre-trial investigation and sent an indictment against a serviceman from the Sumy region to court. The man is accused of illegally possessing and selling firearms, ammunition, and explosives without the required legal authorization.
