On Tuesday, April 14, border guards, in cooperation with officials of the State Police, detained two Latvian citizens and one Moldovan citizen for transporting persons who had illegally crossed the state border, and prevented 20 individuals from illegally crossing the state border.
While verifying information received from the State Police, border guards identified a Volkswagen Kombi minibus traveling from Kaunata Parish in Rēzekne Municipality in the direction of Varakļāni. After initiating pursuit measures, the border guards stopped the vehicle, which was driven by a Moldovan citizen. Upon inspecting the vehicle, it was established that there were 10 persons of Asian origin inside who did not possess valid travel documents, visas, or residence permits.
Criminal proceedings were initiated against the “carrier” under Article 28513) 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. A security measure — detention — has been applied to the person.
Administrative offence proceedings have also been initiated against the person for a violation of Section 4.4 of the Immigration Law, which provides that a foreign national — a citizen of any country except a Member State of the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, a European Economic Area country, the Swiss Confederation, or the Federative Republic of Brazil — who does not hold a visa or residence permit issued by the Republic of Latvia is required to submit information necessary for preventing threats to national security at least 48 hours prior to entry into the Republic of Latvia.
Meanwhile, officials of the State Police initiated administrative offence proceedings for transporting a number of passengers exceeding that specified by the vehicle manufacturer, as well as for carrying passengers who were not wearing seat belts.
Eight persons were prevented from illegally crossing the state border in accordance with Section 4 of the State Border Guard Law. In relation to two other persons, border guards determined that they required medical assistance, and they were immediately taken to a medical institution.
Also, on April 14, while verifying received information, border guards in Konstantinova Parish, Krāslava Municipality, stopped an Audi A4 Avant, while officials of the State Police in Istra Parish, Ludza Municipality, stopped an Opel Vectra. Both vehicles were driven by Latvian citizens. Upon inspecting the vehicles, it was established that each car was carrying six persons of Asian origin who did not possess valid travel documents, visas, or residence permits.
Criminal proceedings have also been initiated against these transporters under Section 285¹3) of the Criminal Law.
In these cases, as well, 12 persons were prevented from illegally crossing the state border in accordance with Section 4 of the State Border Guard Law.
The State Border Guard once again urges residents not to engage in illegal activities and reminds them that severe penalties are prescribed for such involvement. Given that an enhanced border security regime is in force throughout Latvia until July 1, 2026, regardless of where the offence is committed, offenders involved in organizing or facilitating the illegal movement of persons may be punished with imprisonment for a term of two to ten years, with or without confiscation of property, and with probation supervision for up to three years or without it.
It should be noted that this year the State Border Guard has already initiated 17 criminal proceedings (of which 8 were separated from previously initiated cases) against 9 persons for the illegal transportation of persons and/or providing them with the opportunity to stay illegally in Latvia. Meanwhile, last year a total of 122 criminal proceedings (of which 50 were separated from previously initiated cases) were initiated against 88 persons for similar offences. For such actions, persons are subject to severe custodial sentences; for example, in one case a person was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months of imprisonment, while in another case — to 6 years and 1 month.