Three persons who facilitated illegal border crossing at Belarus-Latvia border were detained with 15 migrants lacking valid documents. Criminal and administrative proceedings initiated.

On May 23, 2026, in the Augšdaugava and Krāslava Municipalities of Latvia, three carriers of persons who illegally crossed the Belarus-Latvia border were detained. Border guards stopped two vehicles: a Nissan with two Bulgarian citizens and a Volvo driven by a Latvian citizen. The vehicles carried seven and eight persons of Asian origin respectively, all without valid travel documents, visas, or residence permits. Criminal proceedings were initiated against the carriers under Latvian Criminal Law for enabling illegal stay. Administrative violation proceedings were also initiated against the Bulgarian citizen for driving without a valid licence and carrying more passengers than the vehicle's permitted capacity. This year, the State Border Guard has initiated 46 criminal proceedings related to illegal transport and stay facilitation. Authorities reminded the public of severe penalties including imprisonment of two to ten years.