Moldovan president says risks related to cross‑border crime increasing, there are vulnerabilities on Transnistrian segment

Cross-border crime represents an increasing threat to the security of Moldova. President Maia Sandu today made statements to this effect after a meeting of the National Security Council (CNS). The head of state warned that risks were on the rise and that the country stays vulnerable, including because of the territory on the left bank of the Dniester River.

According to the president, developments in the region, especially the war in Ukraine, have led to the reconfiguration of illegal trafficking routes, which increasingly turns Moldova into a transit zone for criminal networks.

“The risks have been growing in recent years, and the reasons are related to our country’s geographical position, the logistical disruptions in the region, and the redirection of illegal trafficking routes. We also have specific vulnerabilities, including on the uncontrolled segment of the Transnistrian region,” Maia Sandu said.

She noted that, during the CNS meeting, the main types of cross-border crime had been analyzed: arms, drugs and human trafficking, as well as smuggling of goods. A major risk is the enhanced access to weapons, in the context of the war in Ukraine, which could lead to attempts to illegally bring arms into the territory of  Moldova.

“As for drugs’ trafficking, we witness a diversification of the ways used. More and more often, drugs are brought into the country in parcels, hidden in toys, food products or cosmetics. A serious problem is the lack of clear traceability for these parcels and the lack of accountability for their contents. At the same time, about 50% of recruitment cases are carried out through social networks, especially via the Telegram app, used to promote and sell drugs. In the case of human trafficking, the most frequent forms are exploitation through forced labor and sexual exploitation. We also discussed attempts to circumvent the international sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation by using cross‑border criminal networks. We addressed these issues because risks are increasing, and our goal is for the citizens of Moldova to be safe. We must acknowledge that the situation is not simple and that there is a risk for these phenomena to intensify, including in the context of regional developments. International experience shows that the risk of arms trafficking also increases after the end of armed conflicts. We all want peace in Ukraine as soon as possible, but we must be prepared for possible additional pressure in this area. To cope with these challenges, it is necessary to strengthen our security system. At present, resources are insufficient, including at the Border Police and the Customs Service. Significant investments are needed to modernize these institutions, in modern equipment, and in human resource development,” the president said.

Maia Sandu informed that, in the context, the National Security Council had set more measures to strengthen institutional capacities, including the modernization of the Border Police and the Customs Service, the improvement of risks’ analysis, and the boosting of inter‑institutional cooperation.

The head of state stressed that the authorities would continue to monitor the situation and intervene, in order to prevent the expansion of the phenomenon, noting that these actions were part of a continuous process of strengthening national security.