In the village of Hradenytsi, Odesa region, police intercepted two vehicles carrying a group of men attempting to illegally cross the border into Moldova. This was reported by the press service of the department.
According to law enforcement, the transportation was organized by a resident of Odesa and a Donbas native previously convicted of theft and robbery. This time, they assembled a group of eight people, intending to drop them off in a Moldovan village with instructions for further travel.
The cost of their services was $5300 per person, with $1000 required to be transferred to a cryptocurrency wallet.
During searches, authorities seized vehicles and cash amounting to $17,400 and €3250.
The organizers have been charged and taken into custody.
Administrative protocols have been drawn up against the passengers. They face up to nine years in prison for attempting illegal border crossing.
Earlier, ForkLog reported that in Ukraine, a minibus driver offered to transport conscription-age men to Moldova for a cryptocurrency fee.