A human trafficking ring smuggling men to Romania has been uncovered in Bukovina
In Bukovina, law enforcement officials uncovered a scheme to illegally smuggle men subject to military conscription abroad and detained the organizers.
This was reported by the SBU press service.
The operation was carried out by officers of the Security Service of Ukraine in cooperation with the National Police, the State Border Guard Service, and the prosecutor’s office. As part of the investigation, four residents of Kamianets-Podilskyi were detained for organizing the illegal departure of men to Romania.
According to the investigation, the cost of the “service” was approximately $13,000. For this amount, the organizers arranged for the men to be transported outside of official border crossing points.
After receiving the money, the men were transported by car to border areas in the Chernivtsi region. They were then given instructions on how to cross on foot through forested terrain and were provided with remote guidance.
Additionally, according to law enforcement, the “service package” included tools for damaging border barriers. Clients were recruited through Telegram channels.
“The organizers transported the men to the border, gave them instructions on how to escape through the forests, and provided them with tools,” the law enforcement statement reads.
Currently, all suspects have been notified of charges under the article on the illegal smuggling of persons across the state border of Ukraine. The court ordered them to be held in custody as a preventive measure. They face up to nine years in prison for their actions.
