As a result of the investigation and operational measures, the border guards have identified the organisers and members of the organised group involved in the illegal movement of persons across the state border, knowingly ensuring them with the possibility to stay illegally in the Republic of Latvia, as well as in the robbery of persons. Eight members of the organised group have been detained and three others are in prison serving sentences for other illegal activities.
At the end of July this year, the State Border Guard initiated criminal proceedings under Article 285.1 (3) of the Criminal Law for ensuring 27 persons who had illegally crossed the state border with a possibility to stay illegally in the territory of Latvia.
It has already been reported that on July 23, border guards stopped a Chrysler Grand Voyager car in the Augšdaugava Municipality, which was driven by a Latvian citizen. During the check on the documents, it was established that a Latvian citizen (female) was on the passenger seat of the car, and 16 persons of Asian origin were in the car compartment without travel documents, as well as valid visas and residence permits.
A short time later, during an investigation, another Latvian citizen was detained in a homestead in the Augšdaugava Municipality on suspicion of supporting persons who had illegally crossed the state border, and 11 more persons of Asian origin without travel documents and valid visas and residence permits were detected in the basement during a search of the area.
Continuing the pre-trial investigation, it was found that the members of an organized group committed the robbery of persons who illegally crossed the state border, threatening them with a weapon-like object and using physical force. As a result, they were deprived of their money and mobile phones.
During the investigation, border guards identified the organisers and the supporters of the crime, including two minors. As a result, on October 14, border guards detained five more Latvian citizens in the framework of criminal proceedings. Procedural actions have been carried out with three more persons, as they are in prison and serving prison sentences for other criminal offences.
Currently, in the criminal proceedings, the issue of additional qualification according to the Section 176(4) of the Criminal Law for robbery, it has been committed using firearms, and recognition of all the mentioned persons as suspects is being decided.