Recently, the personnel of the SBGSU Internal Security Units “South”, in collaboration with the operatives of the Izmail Border Guard Detachment, representatives of the SSU Counterintelligence Department, the Security Service of Ukraine Office in Odessa r

The actions were conducted under the procedural guidance of the Malynivka District Prosecutor's Office within the framework of an open criminal investigation under Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine “Illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine.”

A group of individuals was detained in the village of Broska, near the city of Izmail. The foreigners were transporting 5 conscripts in the cargo compartment of a truck, whom they intended to illegally transport across the state border of Ukraine for a monetary reward of $20,000 USD.

The scheme for smuggling young men abroad was organized by a Ukrainian citizen, who involved two citizens of the Republic of Moldova in the process. The task of the foreigners was to transport the conscripts using their truck via the transit road at Mayaky-Udobne BCP to the district of Bolhrad, where they would be illegally transported to the Republic of Moldova. They were looking for their clients through Telegram channels and social media. The cost of such a service for one person was $4,000 USD.

Currently, the members of the criminal group have been formally charged and remanded in custody as a preventive measure. The Moldovan-registered truck and two cars, which were likely used in the illegal activities, have been seized pending a court decision. The pretrial investigation is ongoing.