Border guards conducting inspections near the border in the Kaplav detachment jurisdiction discovered an underground passage hidden within the undergrowth, located approximately 20 meters from the official border line. This discovery marks the second documented instance of an illegal border crossing utilizing a tunnel in the area. Authorities reported that 28 individuals were subsequently returned to Belarus.
This latest incident follows a previous detection in early August, when border guards in the Skrudalinas district of the Upper Daugava municipality found 15 people attempting an illegal crossing via a dugout tunnel from Belarus. In response to persistent security concerns regarding the Latvian eastern border, authorities initiated the “Vilkatis” operation on August 11. The stated objective of this operation is to enhance border security measures and curb instances of unauthorized border crossings in the eastern region of Latvia.
The repeated use of concealed tunnels underscores ongoing challenges in securing the physical border demarcation. The discovery of these clandestine routes necessitates heightened vigilance from border security personnel. Officials continue to monitor the area to prevent further illegal crossings and to dismantle unauthorized infrastructure that facilitates passage across the border.
The focus remains on reinforcing security protocols along the entire length of the border.
Topics: #border #tunnel #crossing
