Police and SBU investigators in Ukraine uncovered an alleged scheme to move men through border checkpoints for money, with services priced at $7,000. Investigators say two accomplices offered to help a man cross the state border after he allegedly lost legal grounds for a military service deferment due to a change in family circumstances. They promised the “client” trouble free passage, including through checkpoints. The group planned the operation around payments and documents. Investigators allege the suspects told the man how the process would work, set the payment conditions, and even identified a place to leave part of the money to start the illegal scheme. Under controlled oversight, the man left $900 in the hidden stash. Police then carried out searches at the suspects’ homes. Officers seized nearly 140,000 hryvnias and $250, along with mobile phones and other items used as evidence. In one suspect’s home, investigators also found more than 100 rounds, a carbine, and a magazine. The alleged operation was stopped by police investigators from Department No. 4 of the Mykolaiv District Police Department, with operational support from SBU regional units, Ukraine’s Strategic Investigations Directorate of the National Police, and the 79th Border Guard detachment, under the procedural guidance of the Mykolaiv District Prosecutor’s Office. The two suspects, aged 30 and 36, were detained and notified of suspicion under Article 332, Part 3 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code for alleged illegal transfer of people across the state border, with advice and instructions, committed by a group in advance agreement for financial motives. They face up to nine years in prison, along with possible restrictions on holding certain positions or doing certain work for up to three years, and confiscation of property. A separate case was opened over alleged illegal possession of weapons and ammunition. The 30-year-old suspect has been charged under Article 263, Part 1. A court ordered detention for both suspects, with the option to post bail of 998,000 hryvnias for each. Investigators say they are working to identify everyone involved.