Police arrests a smuggler who helped draft-age men flee to Romania in Zakarpattia

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Zakarpattya officials said on Tuesday they have uncovered a smuggling scheme that saw a 32-year-old Rakhiv resident guiding scores of Ukrainian men dodging conscription across the border into Romania. The suspect charge up to $10,000 for his ‘services’.

His clients were recommended to arrive in Zakarpattiya under the guise of tourists bringing only essential items, documents and cash sealed in plastic.

The smuggler then picked them up in hotels and helped cross the border on foot.

Law enforcement raid nabbed thee suspect during the handover of $8,100 from a client.

The man has been charged under Article 332, Part 3, of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which carries a penalty of up to nine years in prison.

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