Couple detained in Odesa region for organising illegal departures to Moldova

Law enforcement agencies in Odesa region uncovered a group specialising in the illegal smuggling of men abroad. The perpetrators operated on the Ukrainian-Moldovan border section in Transnistria and received payment for their services.

Division of roles in the criminal scheme

According to the investigation, the organiser was a local resident who, together with his wife, established a channel for smuggling men of conscription age. The search for potential clients was conducted via a popular messenger. The man personally escorted those wishing to leave the country to the state border. His wife, in turn, performed the role of a “scout”: she moved ahead to ensure that there were no border patrols or checkpoints on the route.

Detention during the transfer of funds

The operation was carried out by officers of the internal and own security of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine under the Podilsky Border Detachment in Rozdilna district. Investigators from the National Police and officers of the Strategic Investigations Directorate in Odesa region joined the investigation. Procedural supervision was exercised by the Rozdilna District Prosecutor’s Office.

The scheme came to an end during one of the trips when the organiser received 5,000 US dollars from a client. However, the illegal smuggling was not completed: border guards detained both suspects at the scene.

Criminal liability and preventive measures

The man and his wife were notified of suspicion under Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which provides for liability for the illegal smuggling of persons across the state border.

The court selected different preventive measures for the suspects. The organiser was placed in custody with the possibility of posting bail in the amount of over 133,000 hryvnia. His wife was placed under round-the-clock house arrest.

As is known, previously in Odesa region, law enforcement officers also uncovered another channel for the illegal smuggling of men liable for military service abroad. In that case, the participants of the scheme demanded 10,000 dollars from a person, and the search for “clients” was conducted by the organiser, who is located outside Ukraine, through a closed Telegram channel.