Organizer of the weapons smuggling detected at Leușeni customs, detained for 30 days
The organizer of the arms smuggling operation, who was detected in a truck at the Leușeni-Albita customs on November 20, was placed in preventive custody for 30 days. This decision was made by the magistrates of the Chișinău Court in Ciocana on November 28.
A preventive arrest was made at the request of the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS).
According to the institution's statement, a 52-year-old company administrator will remain in state custody. This measure is intended to prevent him from fleeing and to ensure that the investigation remains objective.
Fourth alleged organizer of arms smuggling scheme brought before judges
A man suspected of organizing the transportation of weapons discovered in a truck at the Leușeni-Albita customs was presented before magistrates on November 28. Prosecutors are requesting that he be placed in preventive detention for 30 days. The suspect, who is originally from Chișinău, covered his head and avoided any interaction with the press while in the courtroom hallways, quickly walking past journalists without responding to their questions.
Prosecutor Dumitru Barbăroșie stated that the suspect plays a key role in the case, making the preventive measure necessary. If released, the suspect could influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.
"He is the fourth suspect in the criminal case of ammunition smuggling. Today, a hearing was held to examine the prosecutors' request for a 30-day preventive arrest. The investigation is ongoing. There are risks involved, as several accomplices participated in the crime. Therefore, there is a possibility that he may interact with these accomplices to distort evidence. He is believed to be an organizer. He has made statements, but these contradict those submitted by other participants who have already been heard. He maintains his innocence and does not admit to any wrongdoing," said the prosecutor.
The suspect's lawyer, Sergiu Rusu, asserts that his client has not committed any illegal acts.
"My client does not plead guilty, and we hope that his innocence will be confirmed soon," the defense attorney stated.
The magistrates are set to rule on the preventive arrest measure at 2:20 p.m.
We remind you that three other individuals—the head of the company that ordered the transportation of the goods, the administrator of the transport company, and a broker—have already been placed in custody for 30 days in connection with the ammunition smuggling case detected on November 20 at the Leușeni-Albita customs checkpoint. The cargo was intended for delivery to Israel.
The case involves a truck with Moldovan license plates, in which border authorities discovered 26 items of ammunition, including a complete set, a ground-to-air launcher, and a "Geran-2" drone. These items were concealed in metal foils, textiles, and wooden boxes to evade detection during inspection.
Accompanying documents for the cargo claimed that the vehicle was transporting "metal waste."
According to the Prosecutor General's Office, the ammunition was smuggled into the Republic of Moldova by a carrier from Ukraine. The authorities have not yet disclosed the exact crossing points used, but several experts suggest that the transport may have entered through the Transnistrian region.
The truck was sealed, and the driver, a Moldovan citizen from the Transnistrian region, was detained in Romania. His lawyer, Alexandru Agavriloaiei, asserts that the driver was unaware of the cargo’s contents.
According to Lilian Carp, the chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee for National Security, Defense, and Public Order, the weapons are of Russian origin and are believed to be "trophies" of war captured in Ukraine.
