The territory Prosecutor's Office in Ostrów Wielkopolski directed an indictment against 5 Ukrainian citizens, who are accused of organizing illegal crossing the border of the Republic of Poland and possession of drugs. The allegations include smuggling activities aimed at transporting illegal immigrants through Poland to Western European countries, as well as possession of marijuana. This case shows how organised criminal groups usage the migration crisis to benefit financially.
Stopping and beginning of the investigation
The investigation was initiated in November 2023, erstwhile Polish services stopped a car carrying 4 illegal immigrants – citizens of Syria and Afghanistan. This was a crucial minute that led to the dissolution of a wider criminal network operating in respective countries.
– As the prosecutor stated, the accused men acted together and in agreement, contrary to regulations Law of 12 October 1990 on the protection of the state border and Protocol against migrant smuggling ratified by Poland – informed Maciej Meler, Press spokesperson of the territory Prosecutor's Office in Ostrów Wielkopolski.
A smuggling grid
The investigation showed that the defendants contacted another Russian-speaking people through popular net communicators specified as Instagram, Telegram and Facebook. This group was active in receiving migrants from Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania and border areas of Poland. Their aim was to let illegal immigrants to cross the Polish-German border or to carry them further into the European Union.
– The defendants carried respective twelve people in this way," Meler added.
Financial benefits
According to the evidence gathered, criminal activity was a constant origin of income for the accused. Migrants paid from 500 to 2000 dollars for transport through Poland and payments were made to accounts on cryptocurrency exchanges or in cash. This money was a crucial financial gain for the accused, which only confirms the scale of their activities.
Preventive measures and follow-up
At the request of the prosecutor, 4 of the 5 defendants were given a precautionary measurement in the form of a temporary arrest which continues to this day. The defendants are waiting for further court proceedings, which may consequence in a judgement from 6 months to 12 years imprisonment.
Importance of the case in the context of migration
This case falls within the wider problem of human trafficking in Europe. Poland, being 1 of the countries on the east border of the European Union, is increasingly becoming a transit point for illegal immigrants seeking to scope the West. Modern criminal groups are able to make effective usage of fresh technologies, specified as cryptocurrency and communicators, to organise their actions and avoid being detected by law enforcement authorities.
Summary
The case against 5 Ukrainian citizens is an crucial step in the fight against global crime involving illegal movement of persons across national borders. The defendants utilized gaps in the strategy to get financial benefits at the expense of migrants and state security. With the fast action of the services and the evidence gathered, the case has a chance to end with harsh penalties for smugglers.
Will Poland strengthen border controls and how will this affect national interior security? These questions stay open to further changes in European migration policy.
Daniel Głogowski
Expert in his field – Publicist, author and social activist. The first articles were published in 1999 for global publishers. For more than 30 years, he has gained his experience through cooperation with the largest editorial offices. In his articles, he seeks to address controversial topics and present first viewpoints that allowed for a deeper knowing of the issues discussed.
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An indictment against Ukrainian citizens. A smuggling grid broken by Polish services
