Law enforcement officers from the ÚBOK special unit, in cooperation with the border police, dismantled an interregional human smuggling ring. As a result of a special operation codenamed “Pešiak” in Košice, a second participant in the scheme was detained; he had been guiding illegal migrants on foot across the forested border.
A Nighttime Chase: How the Investigation Began
The police began unraveling the criminal network as early as October 1. At that time, patrol officers in the village of Kolbásov (Snína District) noticed a suspicious vehicle. The driver ignored orders to stop and attempted to flee.
After a lengthy pursuit, the vehicle was forcibly stopped between the towns of Dlhé nad Cirochou and Bela nad Cirochou. Inside the car, officers found five Ukrainian citizens who had illegally crossed the Slovak border.
Special Operation “Pešiak” in Košice
During the investigation, operatives established a clear division of roles among the perpetrators. As investigators determined:
The first suspect (“guide”): for a monetary reward, he led illegal migrants on foot through a forested section of the border to the village of Kolbásov.
The second suspect (“driver”): picked up the migrants by car at a designated point and was supposed to transport them onward to Košice.
On the morning of October 21, special forces and the Košice police arrested the “guide” directly in Košice.
Severe Sentence and Pretrial Detention
According to Lea Vilganova, spokesperson for the Police Corps Presidium, both suspects have been formally charged with the crime of illegally smuggling migrants, committed as part of a premeditated conspiracy.
By court order, both suspects are currently in custody. If found guilty, they face a prison sentence of 7 to 10 years.
