Driver arrested in Latvia for transporting illegal migrants while drunk

Latvian border guards detained two suspected people smugglers in Krāslava municipality over the weekend, in cooperation with the National Armed Forces and Finnish border guards supporting Latvia’s border service.

On Friday, soldiers and Finnish border guards stopped a Ford in Skaista parish. A Latvian citizen was driving, and officers found four people inside the passenger compartment and luggage area without valid travel documents, visas or residence permits. The four had previously crossed the Belarus-Latvia border illegally. A breath test found the driver had 2.67 parts per thousand alcohol.

On Sunday, border guards and armed forces personnel stopped a Volvo in Robežnieki parish after processing operational information about five people who had crossed the border illegally and a possible driver coming to collect them. A border service dog later found the five people in Skaista parish. They also lacked valid travel documents, visas or residence permits.

Criminal proceedings began against the drivers under Latvia’s Criminal Law provisions on illegally moving people across the border during an enhanced border security regime or a state of emergency. The offense carries two to 10 years in prison, with possible property confiscation and probation supervision.

The Latvian driver was detained. The Estonian citizen faced proceedings for an attempted offense and could receive up to one year in prison, short-term detention or probation supervision, as well as a five-year driving ban. Authorities said nine people were prevented from crossing the border illegally. Latvia launched Operation Vilkatis on August 11 to strengthen security along its eastern border.