Cigarette smuggling scheme uncovered in northern Moldova: 12 individuals documented by law enforcement
Twelve individuals from northern Moldova are being investigated for smuggling after law enforcement conducted 18 searches in various locations within the Edineț and Briceni districts, including the town of Lipcani. The raids, supported by the "Fulger" Brigade, uncovered large quantities of illegally held cigarettes and ammunition at a car wash and a warehouse.
In total, the authorities seized almost 200,000 cigarettes that were to be illegally transported across the Prut River to Romania for sale.
The operation was coordinated by prosecutors from the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS), in collaboration with officers from the General Inspectorate of Border Police (IGPF) and the National Inspectorate of Investigations (INI).
The investigation is being conducted based on a joint file established in collaboration with the authorities in Botoșani, Romania, with the support of the European agencies SELEC and Eurojust.
The individuals concerned, aged between 30 and 63, are being investigated.
Investigations into this case continue to establish the entire scheme and hold all individuals involved accountable.
