Border Guards Detain Three Human Smugglers Near Daugavpils

On Thursday, 2 July, officers of the State Border Guard in the Augšdaugava region and Daugavpils detained three individuals involved in smuggling illegal border crossers, following a chase and the use of warning shots.

In Laucese parish, border guards stopped a Dodge vehicle. The driver and passengers attempted to flee. After repeated verbal commands in Latvian and English and warning shots, the fugitives were caught. Four persons without valid travel documents, who had previously illegally crossed the Latvia-Belarus border, were detained. The driver, a Moldovan citizen, was apprehended with the assistance of a canine unit.

In Daugavpils, in cooperation with Estonian border guards, a Chrysler was stopped. The driver, also a Moldovan national, fled but was detained after warning shots. Inside the vehicle, six persons without documents were found, all having crossed the border illegally.

In Kalkūne parish, with Estonian colleagues, an Audi driven by a third Moldovan was stopped. A search of the area was conducted.

All three transporters face criminal proceedings under Section 285(31) of the Criminal Law for illegal movement of persons across the state border during a heightened border security regime. Ten illegal border crossers were detained under the State Border Guard Law. Additionally, the Moldovan citizens had not submitted the mandatory state security questionnaire, leading to administrative proceedings.

Since August 2021, a reinforced border security regime has been in effect along the Latvia-Belarus border, with support from Estonian, Finnish, and Lithuanian colleagues. The Border Guard encourages residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities near the border.