SBU officers blocked in Kharkiv region an illegal scheme of transferring Ukrainians and immigrants from Asian countries to Russia. Among the clients of the criminal group were the suspects put on national and Interpol ‘wanted’ list.

Allegedly, the scheme was organized by the Chief State Inspector of the Slobozhan customs together with two local residents. The official searched through his personal contacts for the clients, who wanted illicitly cross the border to Russia.  According to intelligence, among the clients were ineligible foreigners, persons suspected of committing crimes in Ukraine and abroad, as well as militants of L/DNR terrorist organizations.

The cost of the illegal transfer was USD 1,500 per each illegal migrant. The “service” included escorting the client to the state border and working out a further route to Belgorod City or Valuyki Town in Russia.  For additional payments of USD 500, a client could also be transfered to a chosen city.

Two facilitators were detained on attempt of assisting three ineligible foreigners to illegally cross the state border in Dvorychanskiy district. The head of the criminal group was detained in Kupyansk City, Kharkiv region. The law enforcement officers seized USD 4,500 of illegal income.

The detainees were served notices of suspicion of illegal transfer of persons across the state border of Ukraine (Part 3 Art. 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The form of detention was chosen as well.

The investigation is ongoing.

The operation was conducted jointly with investigators of the Territorial Administration of the State Bureau of Investigations in Poltava City under the supervision of the Prosecutor's Office of Kharkiv region.