On Wednesday, September 3, border guards in Krāslava Municipality detained an Estonian citizen, who attempted to escape from the border guards, for transporting persons who had illegally crossed the state border.
Border guards, on the V626 road (Robežnieki–Geljutova–Veterovka), detected a white Porsche Cayenne whose driver ignored the lawful order to stop and attempted to escape. The border guards, with lights on and a special sound signal activated, initiated a pursuit.
The officials of the State Police and the Aviation and Special Operations Board of the State Border Guard, were involved and detected a similar white Volkswagen Touareg. Its driver also ignored the lawful order to stop and began to escape. Both vehicles were decorated with red ribbons and wedding decorations.
As a result of search operations, border guards in Robežnieki Parish detected 14 persons of Asian origin without valid travel documents, visas, or residence permits. During interviews, it was established that a man had come to pick them up.
Shortly afterward, border guards in Robežnieki Parish detected a Porsche Cayenne that had run off the road and was abandoned in a field, while in Dagda Parish, a Volkswagen Touareg was detected abandoned by the roadside. During search operations, border guards in Krāslava Municipality detained an Estonian citizen who was driving the aforementioned Porsche Cayenne.
Criminal proceedings were initiated against the “carrier” under Article 285(1)3) of the Criminal Law for ensuring a large number of persons, that is, in one case, more than five persons, the possibility to reside illegally in the Republic of Latvia.
The Estonian citizen has also been charged with administrative liability for failing to comply with a lawful order issued by an official.
14 persons were prevented from illegally crossing the state border in accordance with Section 4 of the State Border Guard Law.