Moldovan law-enforcers uncover “legalized” smuggling scheme causing damage of over 4 billion lei

The Prosecutor General’s Office (PG) has announced the uncovering of a complex scheme involving the illegal adaptation of legislation, which facilitated the import of excisable goods between 2015 and 2019 through a “duty-free regime,” created by perpetrators to enable the formal declaration of these goods in the districts on the left bank of Dniester.

According to the materials of the criminal case investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Causes (PCCOCS), this scheme is alleged to have caused damage of over 4 billion lei, representing the value of unpaid import duties.

The investigation reveals that the scheme was devised and implemented by a criminal organization led by more individuals, including a former MP at that time. Subsequently, the related legislative initiative was promoted in parliament as part of a broader normative act.

“After the law entered into force, the documents for the introduction of the goods were of a general and formal nature, exactly as the scheme had been illegally conceived from the outset. The ‘legalized’ smuggling scheme was implemented through abuse of office by government officials and other involved persons, for the benefit of the criminal organization, being exploited by groups specialized in smuggling excisable goods, especially tobacco products,” the PG specifies.

To gather evidence, specialized prosecutors opened two criminal files on the period 2021–2022. Following the investigation, which also included international legal cooperation, the PCCOCS, together with National Investigation Inspectorate (INI) officers and Fulger employees, detained the suspected individuals. They were charged with creating and leading a criminal organization and abuse of office, and were placed in pre-trial detention for 30 days.

The criminal investigation continues to establish all circumstances and identify all persons involved, while the defendants benefit from the presumption of innocence, in accordance with the law.