Two carriers transporting illegal border crossers from Belarus to Latvia were detained in May 2026 under enhanced border surveillance, initiating criminal proceedings.

On May 16 and May 18, 2026, two individuals acting as 'carriers' facilitating illegal border crossings were detained in Augšdaugava and Krāslava Municipalities in Latvia. A Georgian citizen was stopped driving an Opel in Skrudaliena Parish and an Estonian citizen was stopped driving a Citroen in Ezernieki Parish. Each vehicle contained five persons of Asian origin who lacked valid travel documents and had illegally crossed from Belarus into Latvia. Criminal proceedings were initiated against the carriers under Latvian Criminal Law Section 285.1 Paragraph 2 for knowingly enabling illegal stay of two or more persons. The Georgian citizen is also suspected under Section 285 Paragraph 3¹ for illegal transportation during an enhanced border surveillance regime. Detention in custody was applied as a security measure. The State Border Guard is operating under an enhanced border surveillance regime supported by the National Armed Forces, State Police, and Finnish counterparts. In 2026 so far, 40 criminal proceedings have been initiated against 32 persons for illegal transportation or aiding illegal stay, compared to 122 proceedings against 88 persons in 2025. Sentences in such cases have included up to 6 years and 1 month imprisonment.