Riga, Sept 8 (LETA) - Last week, 14 illegal migrants were caught in Latgale, transported in Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg cars decorated as wedding cars.

As the State Border Guard informed LETA, on September 3, border guards on a small road in Kraslava district spotted a white Porsche Cayenne whose driver ignored a request to stop and tried to flee. Border guards chased the car.

With the assistance of the State Police and the State Border Guard Aviation and Special Operations Department, a similar white Volkswagen Touareg was also detected, the driver of which also ignored the request to stop and started to flee. Both cars were decorated with red ribbons and wedding decorations.

As a result of the search, border guards discovered 14 persons of Asian origin without valid travel documents, visas and residence permits. In a conversation with these persons, it was found out that a man had come fetch them.

A short time later, border guards found a Porsche Cayenne abandoned in a field in Robeznieki municipality and a Volkswagen Toureg abandoned on the side of the road in Dagda municipality. During the search, border guards also detained an Estonian national who had driven the Porsche.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the smuggler under Article 285.1 of the Criminal Code for providing a large number of persons with the possibility to stay illegally in Latvia. The Estonian national has also been held administratively liable for non-compliance with border guards' requests.