Citizen of France detained in Lithuania for smuggling 19 migrants from Latvia

VILNIUS - In a joint operation, border guards and police officers detained a citizen of France in central Lithuania on suspicion of smuggling 19 irregular migrants from Latvia.

The Lithuanian order Guard Service (VSAT) on Wednesday reported about the incident that happened last Sunday.

On July 5, acting on information received from the VSAT, police officers stopped a Volkswagen Crafter van near Kiduliai village, in Sakiai district. The van had a Bolt Drive car-sharing company's logo.

The driver was a 23-year-old citizen of France who was transporting 19 irregular migrants: 11 citizens of Iran, 4 citizens of Pakistan and 4 citizens of Afghanistan.

All but two Iranian citizens were undocumented migrants.

A pre-trial investigation was opened into migrant smuggling across the state border. The crime is punishable by a fine or a custodial sentence of up to eight years.

The suspect, the citizen of France driving the rented van, was detained for three months.

Bolt Drive representatives in Lithuania told the news agency ELTA that the company is aware about the incident and is cooperating with law enforcement and providing all the necessary information.

The company stated it does not tolerate the use of its vehicles for criminal activities.

The vehicle has been impounded as evidence of the crime.

The irregular migrants will be processed and returned to Latvia.

The so-called Latvian migration route is used by migrants who cross the border illegally from Belarus and then try to travel from Latvia through Lithuania and Poland to Western Europe.