On Monday, October 19th, in Madona municipality, border guards, in cooperation with State Police officers, detained a Latvian citizen who had helped others to illegally cross the state border.
State Police officers stopped a Volkswagen car driven by a Latvian citizen on the highway. Upon inspection of the vehicle, seven persons without valid travel documents and valid visas or residence permits were found inside, who had previously illegally crossed the Belarusian-Latvian border.
Madona municipality is located in central Latvia, a considerable distance from the border. The original countries of origin of the border crossers were not stated.
Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the carrier for providing more than five persons with the opportunity to illegally reside in the Republic of Latvia.
The State Border Guard has already initiated 167 criminal proceedings against 117 persons for the illegal movement of persons and/or providing persons with the opportunity to illegally reside in Latvia this year.
If found guilty, illegal transporters can face up to ten years in prison, as well as other forms of punishment, and Latvia's parliament is currently considering even harsher penalties for people smugglers.
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