Lithuanian border guards help detain 11 migrants in Latvia

Lithuania’s State Border Guard Service dog handlers helped Latvian authorities detain two groups of migrants who had illegally crossed the state border on Monday and Tuesday, LRT reported, citing the service.

On Monday afternoon, Latvian officials detected an illegal border crossing. A Lithuanian handler from the Gintaras Žagunis Border Guard Station, accompanied by a Belgian shepherd named Chico, followed tracks from the scene into Latvia.

The search continued through marshes and dense forests. About two kilometres from the border, officers detained four people who had crossed it illegally. Another person fled during the operation and was suspected of being the group’s guide.

The Lithuanian handler and Chico immediately began following the fugitive after handing the four detainees over to Latvian colleagues. The tracks were followed for about 1.5 kilometres before leading to the shore of a marshy lake. Officials determined that the person had entered the water to hide. The search was later stopped because of the difficult natural conditions, and the forces conducting the search were informed.

Early on Tuesday, officers at another location found a ladder leaning against the border, belongings scattered on the Latvian side and a trail. Lithuanian border guards patrolling with their Latvian counterparts were asked to assist.

A handler from the Šiauliai Border Guard Station, part of the Pagėgiai Border Guard Detachment, arrived with a German shepherd named Aja. Working with Latvian officers, the team began searching the wooded and marshy area.

About half an hour later, Aja found seven migrants roughly 1.5 kilometres from the state border. The detainees did not resist.

In the two operations, Lithuanian and Latvian officers detained 11 people who had violated the state border. Latvian State Border Guard Service officials are handling further procedural measures involving the detainees.