Polish Police and Border Guards detained two couriers and twelve foreigners who illegally crossed the border from Lithuania to Poland.

The first arrest took place on July 20th in the Wiżajny commune. Officers from the Border Guard Post in Rutka-Tartak stopped a Toyota car with Warsaw license plates for a roadside check. The vehicle was driven by a 28-year-old Turkmen citizen who was transporting four foreigners: two Iranians, a Pakistani citizen, and an Afghan citizen. It was determined that all had illegally crossed the border from Lithuania into Poland.

That same evening, police officers, working with officers from the Border Guard Post in Sejny, attempted to stop a passenger car for inspection in the Grajewo commune. The driver ignored signals to stop and attempted to flee. After a short chase, he was apprehended. The driver turned out to be a 19-year-old Polish citizen, who was transporting six foreigners – five Ethiopian citizens and one Eritrean citizen. Two people were hidden in the trunk of the vehicle. It was determined that the foreigners had illegally crossed the border from Lithuania into Poland. They were carrying permits issued by foreigner reception centers in Latvia.

Both drivers remain at the disposal of the Border Guard. Further proceedings are underway against the detained foreigners. Once completed, they will be transferred to the Lithuanian side under the readmission procedure.