One key element stands out in this case: individuals who move people across borders can influence political circles and sometimes dodge accountability for their actions. Stanisław Żaryn, the Government Plenipotentiary for the Security of the Information Space of the Republic of Poland and Deputy Minister coordinating special services, spoke to the wPolityce.pl portal about this issue.
The situation signals that border pressures are being exploited as a cover for illegal activity, including crimes organized around migration routes. From the outset, those smuggling people into the West have been involved in such operations. The appearance of migrants at the Latvia, Lithuania, or Poland borders does not mark the end of their journey; their aim is to reach Western Europe.
Żaryn commented on the arrest of a 48-year-old Polish woman by the Border Guard and the Central Bureau of Investigation, who is suspected of leading a criminal group that guides foreigners across the eastern border into Poland and onward to other European nations.
Accused of leading a criminal group
The woman was brought to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Garwolin, where the prosecutor charged her with heading an organized criminal group operating within the Polish territory, with the goal of coordinating others to cross Poland’s border contrary to regulations.
Today’s arrest underscores that Polish services are increasingly effective in detaining such individuals, while also highlighting how well-structured the criminal networks behind these activities can be.
Żaryn added that two MPs from the Civic Platform party stood as guarantors in court for the woman involved in smuggling illegal migrants from Belarus into Europe. The woman allegedly led the group and demanded up to 5,000 euros to transport a migrant to Germany. Despite the bail, the court ordered the smuggler’s detention.
In a post on social media, the State Secretary noted this development and referenced coverage of the case, including mentions that two Civic Platform MPs had represented her in court.
Additional context and analysis on this topic have been reported by wPolityce, which has provided ongoing coverage of border-related criminal activity and the involvement of political actors in related proceedings.