In Ukraine, 16 men were detained for attempting to illegally cross the border into Moldova in a refrigerated truck carrying meat

Law enforcement officials in the Odesa region reported the arrest of two foreigners who were illegally transporting 16 military-aged men abroad in a refrigerated truck carrying meat.

This was reported by the National Police of Ukraine.

“Two 39-year-old foreigners, who were engaged in the transportation of meat products from Ukraine, organized the illegal transfer of conscription-aged men across the border. Under the guise of their business activities, they hid 16 conscription-aged men in a refrigerator truck with beef and attempted to smuggle them through a border checkpoint into the Republic of Moldova,” stated the Ukrainian agency’s report.

It is known that the scheme was organized by entrepreneurs from Asia.

It is noted that each “client” had to pay the entrepreneurs between $6,000 and $8,000 for their services. Additionally, the perpetrators planned to charge another 2,000 euros for those who wanted a stamp in their passport for legal entry into the neighboring country. This part of the deal was to be arranged abroad.

Police seized the truck, the transport documentation, phones used to arrange border crossings, and other evidence of criminal activity.

The foreigners were detained in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. They have been informed of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – organizing the illegal transfer of persons across the state border of Ukraine, leading such actions, and aiding their commission by providing advice, guidance, in relation to multiple persons, for financial gain, and by prior agreement by a group of persons. The penalty under this article provides for up to nine years in prison with the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years, with confiscation of property.

The court has imposed measures of restraint on the suspects in the form of detention with the right to post bail. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

It is worth noting that amidst tightened mobilization efforts in Ukraine, there are numerous attempts by male citizens to leave the country. People are heading towards the borders of Ukraine with Romania and Moldova.

However, since the announcement of general mobilization and martial law in Ukraine, men aged 18 to 60 have been prohibited from leaving the country, leading to various attempts to cross the border by any means possible.