Channel for smuggling draft evaders via mountain trails to Romania uncovered: five organisers detained. VIDEO
Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation are investigating the illegal transfer of men of conscription age across the state border of Ukraine.
Censor.NET reported this with reference to the SBI press centre.
Who is the organiser?
The channel was organised by an employee of the Vyhodske Forestry Branch of the State Enterprise "Forests of Ukraine" together with his partner and her son. They involved three other local residents in their activities.
The five suspects were caught red-handed by officers from the operational-search department of the border guard detachment, the National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine in Zakarpattia region.
What did the investigation establish?
As noted, the perpetrators had established a clear mechanism for smuggling men to Romania outside of official checkpoints through the mountainous terrain of Transcarpathia. The search for willing participants was carried out by the son of the cohabitant, who is in the Czech Republic, in particular through Telegram channels and personal contacts. After agreeing on the terms, clients were given instructions on the route, a list of items to bring, and the specifics of the crossing.
The roles were distributed as follows:
- Some sought clients, while others were responsible for logistics, transportation, and escorting in the border area.
- The men were picked up in Ivano-Frankivsk by car, taken to the village of Vyhoda, placed in a motel and restricted in their movements. They were then transported to the Yablunytsia area, where they received the agreed amount. They were then escorted on foot through forest areas, bypassing checkpoints.
- On the outskirts of the village of Lazeshchyna, about 25 km from the state border with Romania, law enforcement officers stopped the attempted smuggling.
What was seized?
The transfer of $17,000 from two men was documented. Another man was to transfer €10,000 after successfully crossing the border.
During the inspection of the scene and three urgent searches, 17,000 US dollars, over 50,000 hryvnias, mobile phones, radio stations and three cars — a Volkswagen, a Skoda and a Toyota — were seized.
The suspects have been notified of their suspicion of organising the illegal transfer of persons across the state border of Ukraine, directing such actions and facilitating their commission by prior conspiracy by a group of persons for mercenary motives (Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The article provides for up to 9 years of imprisonment.
