Authorities establish route of weapons discovered at Leușeni-Albița customs

Chișinău authorities have established the route through which the arsenal of weapons and ammunition recently discovered at Leușeni-Albița border crossing point entered the territory of the Republic of Moldova. The illegal transport is believed to have been carried out by a smuggler who periodically traveled from Ukraine with a freight truck. Institutions report that based on evidence, there is no indication that the weapons came from military or strategic depots, such as Cobasna depot or those of the National Army.

According to the Prosecutor General's Office, 18 ammunition components, eight complete ammunition elements, an anti-aircraft missile launcher, and a 'Geran 2' type drone, composed of several disassembled elements following the downing, presenting shrapnel in the disassembly areas, with the engine dismantled and without pyrotechnic-interest elements have been established as evidence.

The inquiry revealed that these ammunitions were smuggled into the Republic of Moldova with the assistance of a courier, who periodically traveled with a freight truck from Ukraine. The munitions were transported on multiple trips, two units at a time, collected from an unidentified depot in Ukraine, from unknown individuals. They were brought in a concealed manner into the Republic of Moldova, from where they were quickly taken by several accomplices.

According to the cited source, the export customs documents were processed for 'metal articles' destined for Israel. The individuals responsible for the export customs documentation and organization of the transport, the exporter, the customs broker, and the carrier currently have defendant status and have been arrested.

Relevant authorities specify that based on the evidence and preliminary information obtained in the case, it has not been identified that the weapons and ammunition originated from military or strategic depots, such as the Cobasna depot or those of the National Army.

The Prosecutor General notes that all state institutions are cooperating on this case. Additionally, a joint task force with Romanian authorities has been created within the criminal case, with future investigative actions and information and evidence exchanges planned. This transport was identified at the coordinated border crossing point of Leușeni-Albița, situated on the Romanian side of the border.

Relevant institutions reiterate that any potential security breach and other details are under investigation as part of the inquiry, including the hypothesis of an action to discredit the Republic of Moldova.