Officers of the National Police and other law enforcement agencies in Lviv detained a 31-year-old resident of Poltava region. He is suspected of establishing a channel for the illegal crossing of the state border. The main objective of the scheme was to facilitate the exit of a military-liable citizen to the Republic of Moldova, bypassing official checkpoints.
Details of the criminal plan
According to investigation materials, during the state of martial law, the suspect developed detailed instructions for his “client”. The route involved travelling from Lviv to Khmelnytskyi region, where the man was to be met by accomplices and taken to a specific location for the border crossing. The organiser also provided recommendations on security measures, a list of necessary items, and specified the amount of cash that needed to be carried.
A distinctive feature of the plan was the use of technical means to overcome obstacles. On the smuggler’s instruction, the military-liable man purchased metal shears, which were to be used during the operation.
Detention and seizure of funds
The joint operation was carried out by investigators from the Lviv region police, officers of the Strategic Investigations Department of the National Police, and servicemen of the 27th Border Detachment named after the Heroes of the Carpathian Sich. Procedural supervision was provided by the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
On 24 October, the suspect arrived in Lviv in a Tesla Model 3 to meet the client. After receiving the agreed sum of 7,000 US dollars, he was detained in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
Legal consequences
The detainee was charged under Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which provides for liability for the illegal smuggling of persons across the state border. The penalty for this offence includes imprisonment for a term of seven to nine years, as well as a ban on holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for up to three years, with confiscation of property.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. The court is expected to make a decision on the choice of preventive measure in the near future. A final verdict on the suspect’s guilt will be issued only after the completion of the court hearing.
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