Another human smuggler detained in Augšdaugava region

State Border Guard officers detained a Polish national on Monday in the Laucese parish of the Augšdaugava region for transporting irregular migrants. The suspect drove a Renault minibus registered in Poland, which bore a forged Latvian license plate – likely intended for illegal activities.

During the inspection, ten individuals without valid travel documents, visas, or residence permits were found inside. These people had previously crossed the Latvia–Belarus border illegally. All ten were escorted back to the border line. The driver now faces criminal proceedings.

On Tuesday, border guards prevented 90 attempts to illegally cross the state border. So far this year, 7,563 people have been stopped from illegally crossing the border.

The government has extended the reinforced border security regime until the end of the year, which applies to several border municipalities including Ludza, Krāslava, Augšdaugava, Daugavpils, and Kaunata parish. The decision was made due to the heightened influx of irregular migrants originating from Belarus.

Last year, border guards prevented 12,046 illegal border crossings, while 31 migrants were allowed in on humanitarian grounds. In 2024, 5,388 crossings were prevented and 26 people were admitted for humanitarian reasons.