On November 5, 2025, a criminal operation was initiated when a group of illegal migrants from Afghanistan and Pakistan attempted to cross the Latvian border, having paid between $7,000 and $15,000 to their organizers. Unfortunately, the journey took a disastrous turn when the driver, a Latvian citizen, lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a roll-over accident that killed him and left one Afghan migrant severely injured. The remaining seven migrants, despite suffering various injuries themselves, followed the lead of the driver who managed to escape, leaving the injured and deceased behind in the wreck.

The group was later discovered by a passerby who called for help, but by then, the migrants had attempted to hide in the nearby woods. While emergency responders were attending to the accident scene, the smuggler, M. Sabas, was reportedly sent to pick them up again the following morning in a rented Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. His actions reveal not only the risks associated with human smuggling operations but also the desperate situations faced by these migrants. Sabas admitted to noticing the injured migrants but did not stop to offer help, instead prioritizing his illegal operation.

This case underlines the growing issue of migrant smuggling, particularly in the Baltic region, and highlights the severe consequences it can produce, both for the individuals involved and for the border security efforts of neighboring countries. With a deeper examination of Smuggling activities in the region, authorities are likely to intensify their measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.