Four convicted in drug trafficking case led by prisoner
Four men, aged 41 to 45, from Chisinau and Comrat were sentenced to years in prison for the illegal distribution of three types of drugs: heroin, opium, and marijuana.
The case stems from a filing by the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS) in 2018. The defendants received sentences of up to 11 years in prison, as determined by magistrates from the Chisinau Court.
According to prosecutors, three of the defendants had prior convictions, including for drug trafficking.
PCCOCS reports that one group member, who was already serving his sentence in Cahul penitentiary, coordinated drug trafficking activities from inside the prison using a prohibited mobile phone. He sent instructions to two accomplices who were at large, selling the drugs in large quantities. A fourth member of the group, also at large during that time, provided the necessary information to facilitate the sales.
Investigations revealed that the first arrest in this case occurred in February 2018, and the last arrest took place in November of the same year.
"During the searches, law enforcement officers seized the mobile phone that the inmate at Cahul Penitentiary used to coordinate the crimes," PCCOCS stated.
In December 2018, prosecutors submitted the case to court.
