Smuggling Attempt in Motorised Hang Glider

Officers from the Bug River Border Guard Unit prevented the smuggling of illegal tobacco products with the use of motor-gliders. A 44-year-old Ukrainian citizen was detained for the case.

Officers from the Border Guard Post in Zbereż noticed the object flying at a high altitude.

He moved deep into Poland. Its further flight was monitored. Near the village of Wołczyny (in the Włodawa County), Border Guard officers found a crashed motor-glider, scattered packages and a man who was its pilot. Due to numerous injuries, he was taken to hospital.

The Border Guard officers determined that he was a 44-year-old citizen of Ukraine. The wreckage of the powered hang glider has been secured. In the nearby boxes there were smuggled cigarettes (8,000 packets) worth over 112,000. PLN. The loading and launch of the powered hang-gliders probably took place beyond the eastern border of the country.

Cigarettes were to be dropped without landing on the Polish side, near the border river Bug. Preliminary proceedings were initiated in the case. The foreigner will be responsible for cigarette smuggling and illegal crossing of the state border with the use of an aircraft, which is sanctioned with a penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment. After leaving the hospital, the man was handed over to the border services of Ukraine.