Latvia discovers cross-border tunnel and launches crackdown on migrant smuggling networks

Latvia announced that officials have uncovered a tunnel used to move migrants under the border with Belarus. Interior Minister Janis Dombrava and Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said the find will lead to reinforced protection of the eastern frontier, with closer cooperation among the Border Guard, State Police, National Armed Forces and security services, and increased use of drones for early detection. They described the migrant flow as a "hybrid threat" and launched "Operation Werewolf" to dismantle the criminal networks facilitating illegal crossings into the Schengen zone.

The leaders emphasized that Latvia does not want to be the easiest entry point into the EU and will target both transport routes and support sites within the country. Coordination with Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and other partners will be intensified to curb the migration pressure. Lithuania reported a similar tunnel discovery earlier in July.