A scheme to smuggle men abroad was exposed in Transcarpathia: two suspects were detained

Two suspects were detained on the outskirts of the village of Onokivtsi, Uzhhorod district. They were planning to smuggle a man across the border in the area of responsibility of the “Novoselytsia” border service department.

According to law enforcement, the scheme was organized by a 23-year-old resident of Uzhhorod. He recruited a 28-year-old accomplice who transported “clients”, received money, and provided instructions on how to behave during possible contact with law enforcement officers and when crossing the border.

The men sought potential “clients” through social media. They charged $7,000 per person for illegal trafficking.

Law enforcement officers recorded the transfer of some of the money. During a search and examination of the scene, they seized another $3,200, three mobile phones, and a car.

Both detainees were informed of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – illegal smuggling of persons across the state border of Ukraine. They were placed in a temporary detention center.

The court chose a preventive measure for them in the form of detention for 60 days with the possibility of posting bail.

Operatives of the Chop border detachment worked together with police officers and SBU officers under the procedural guidance of the Uzhhorod District Prosecutor’s Office.

The department noted that investigative actions are ongoing.