Searches in cigarette smuggling case

Chisinau, July 4. /MOLDPRES/- Today, the law enforcement officers raided 28 locations in a criminal case on cigarette smuggling, in which 13 people are targeted. The group includes six private people, five customs officials, a border policeman and a former customs officer.

According to the Customs Service, the criminal investigation was initiated following the exchange of information with the Romanian authorities, who in March and April 2021 conducted searches inside some warehouses on the territory of the neighboring country, where 1,760 boxes of contraband cigarettes from the Republic of Moldova worth over 2 million euros have been found.

As part of the investigations carried out in our country, the law enforcement officers examined the actions of the customs officers involved in perfecting the means of transport allegedly involved in the illicit transport of cigarettes across the border through the Sculeni customs post in September 2020 -April 24, 2021, as well as establishing the factors that influenced their decisions.

As a result of the investigative measures, an organized criminal ring was detected, with predetermined roles and hierarchies, which had the purpose of preparing and subsequently passing cigarettes of different brands abroad. The group was made up of 13 people, including six private people, five customs officials, one border policeman and a former customs officer.

The criminal proceedings continue, and the suspected persons are being investigated at large.

Photo: Customs Service