HEARINGS // Resignations, thorough investigations following arms smuggling at Moldovan-Romanian Border; Moldovan MP says it is about international arms trafficking network

The weapons found at the Moldovan-Romanian border were partially from Tula, Russia, and an international network is involved in the trafficking. At the same time, there are indications that the pieces might be war trophies captured by the Ukrainian army, and in this regard, Moldovan authorities are collaborating with partners from Romania and Ukraine to investigate the case. MP Lilian Carp today made statements to this effect, after closed-door hearings of the parliamentary commission for national security. The lawmaker emphasized that resignations and extensive investigations were forthcoming.

According to Carp, one of the organizers has already been detained, and the internal and criminal investigations are ongoing.

“Today’s hearings focused on a complex case. Our authorities were not idle; actions were carried out parallel to the investigation. It’s an ongoing investigation involving more people, not just on the territory of Moldova. The weapons were found at the Leuseni - Albita crossing point, located on Romanian territory. Suspicions arose from observations made by customs teams, even though the truck was on the green lane. The decision was made to scan the truck and request the intervention of DIICOT, with working groups established in Romania and Moldova,” explained Carp.

He specified that some of the weapons’ components might originate from the factory in Tula, Russia, and there are indications that they may be war trophies captured by the Ukrainian army.

“There is active collaboration with Ukrainian authorities to trace the route and final destination. The documents indicate a declared destination, but investigators are checking if this matches reality,” stressed the deputy.

Lilian Carp highlighted that such phenomena were not new in the region and that weapons frequently fall into the hands of criminal groups who take advantage of conflicts.

“As in other war situations, including in 1992, captured weapons end up on the black market. Strengthening the border with Ukraine using new scanners and additional technological control systems is vital,” the official emphasized.

The MP confirmed that resignations were forthcoming, but did not provide details about the institutions or individuals involved.

“There will definitely be resignations. We will see what the investigation results show. The Customs Service is conducting its own investigation regarding the methods of entry of the weaponry into the territory of Moldova. It will be determined whether it is a matter of incompetence, a specific shift, or direct involvement of some employees,” noted Carp.

According to his statements, authorities know the crossing points through which the weapons pieces entered, but these details have not been disclosed, so as not to prejudice the investigation.

“Today, one person was detained in this case, and investigations are continuing. Authorities are working in coordination with partners from Romania and Ukraine for the complete dismantling of the network involved in arms trafficking,” the deputy added.

Investigations aim to determine whether there is a generalized phenomenon or if these are isolated incidents.

“It is premature to advance public conclusions. Any wrongly disclosed information can affect the course of the investigations. Criminal and internal investigations, including within the Customs Service, will follow,” Carp explained.

The lawmaker reiterated the need to modernize crossing points and equip the border with technology - scanners and additional control systems, in order to prevent such incidents in the long run.

“There is a need to strengthen the Ukrainian segment, equipping it with scanners and modern technologies. It’s not just about equipment, but also about correct procedures and international cooperation,” concluded Lilian Carp.







This morning, the Prosecutor General's Office (PG) issued a statement providing details about the route of the weapons found at the Leuseni-Albita customs. The illegal transport was carried out through smuggling by a courier who periodically traveled from Ukraine with a freight truck. The institutions said that, from the collected evidence, it had not been identified that the weapons came from military or strategic depots, such as the Cobasna depot or those of the National Army.

According to the PG, the items established as evidence include: 18 ammunition components, eight complete ammunition elements, a surface-to-air launcher and a "Geran 2" drone, composed of more disassembled elements following being shot down, showing splinters in the separation zones, respectively with the engine detached and without pyrotechnic interest elements.

According to the investigation, the munitions were transported in multiple trips, two units each time, taken from an unidentified depot in Ukraine, from unknown persons. They were brought disguised into Moldova, from where they were quickly taken over by more accomplices.

The customs export documents were completed for “metal items,” destined for Israel. The people responsible for the customs export documents and the organization of the transport — the exporter, customs broker, and carrier — currently have the status of defendants and have been arrested.





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