In the Kraslava region, border guards detained a citizen of Romania who was transporting 11 illegal migrants who had previously crossed the Latvian border illegally from Belarus.
In Latgale, the detentions of illegal migrant smugglers continue. On Wednesday, a Renault car was stopped in the Kraslava region, in which there were 11 people without documents.
According to the State Border Guard, the vehicle was stopped in the Dagda municipality after verifying received information.
The driver was a citizen of Romania.
In the car's cabin, 11 individuals of Asian descent were found without valid travel documents, visas, or residence permits in Latvia. According to the border guards, all of them had previously illegally crossed the Belarusian-Latvian border.
A criminal process has been initiated against the smuggler under the article on the illegal movement of people across the state border under conditions of enhanced security. All detained migrants were returned to the border with Belarus.
Importantly, such cases are regularly recorded in Latvia, and the number of attempts to illegally cross the border this year remains very high.
Just on Wednesday, border guards prevented another 105 attempts at illegal crossings of the Latvian-Belarusian border. Since the beginning of the year, 3,619 people have been detained for illegal border crossing.
According to the State Border Guard, 44 criminal cases have already been initiated this year against 34 individuals for transporting illegal migrants or facilitating their illegal stay in the country. In comparison, 122 criminal cases were initiated against 88 individuals last year.
Latvian authorities continue to consider the migration pressure from Belarus to be organized. As a result, the government has extended the enhanced border security regime in border areas until June 30. It is in effect in the Ludza, Kraslava, and Augšdaugava regions, as well as in Daugavpils and parts of the Rezekne region.
The border guard once again urged residents not to participate in the transportation of illegal migrants, reminding that such crimes carry a penalty of up to ten years in prison with confiscation of property.
Against the backdrop of ongoing pressure on Latvia's eastern border, the number of detentions of smugglers and attempts at illegal entry into the country remains consistently high.
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