In Odessa region, operatives of Podil Border Guard Detachment, together with border guards from Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Detachment, with the participation of representatives from the Strategic Investigations Department in Odessa region and investigators from Police Department No.3 of Odessa District Police Department No. 1, apprehended a group of individuals near the village of Hradenytsi in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district.

Two men, also the organizers, were scouting potential «clients» intending to illegally cross the border. They transported them to one of the border villages and provided instructions for their further actions.

For their services, the smugglers requested $5300 USD from each individual. However, part of the amount - $1000 USD, the «clients» were instructed to transfer to a cryptocurrency wallet. Having the location data of the organizers and potential violators, operatives took measures to apprehend them.

Since the route was supposed to pass through the Kuchurhan Estuary, the smugglers took care of their «clients» in advance. For this, they equipped them with protective suits for wading.

Two organizers were informed of suspicion and preventive measures were taken.

Regarding the eight travelers, protocols for administrative offenses were drawn up, and the cases were referred to court.