Speaker on truck carrying weapons found at border: Resignations will follow. We need to see who made mistakes and where

Speaker Igor Grosu said that the incident involving weapons smuggling found at the Moldovan-Romanian border will have consequences, including resignations in the responsible institutions. However, he emphasized that changes need to be deeper and target the legal framework and border control procedures.


'Resignations will follow, but we need to analyze things in depth. Perhaps we need to change the legislation, procedures, and working protocols. Resignations alone do not solve the problem,' said Grosu, commenting on the scandal involving the truck loaded with weapons from Ukraine and detained at the border.


The official noted that the authorities are awaiting the final investigation report, including a clear identification of individuals who did not fulfill their duties or were involved directly in this illegal scheme.


'It must be very clear who is guilty, who did not act, and where the breach occurred. Where necessary, we will intervene with legislation, protocols, and other measures. It is a much more complex subject than a simple resignation,' Grosu emphasized.


He remarked that the joint control action with the Romanian authorities proved that the EU's border security mechanisms are effective.


'Cooperation with Romania has once again demonstrated that there is effective control over securing European borders,' the official noted.






 

Yesterday, closed-door hearings were organized at parliament on the truck with weapons. MP Lilian Carp stated that the weapons found at the Moldovan-Romanian border partially originated from Tula, Russian Federation, and the trafficking involves an international network. Additionally, there are indications that the items might be war trophies captured by the Ukrainian army. In this regard, the authorities of the Republic of Moldova are collaborating with partners from Romania and Ukraine to investigate the case. Carp also announced that another person has been detained in this case.

Also yesterday, the General Prosecutor's Office issued a communiqué providing details about the route of the weapons found at the Leușeni–Albița customs. The illegal transport was carried out by smuggling by a courier who traveled periodically from Ukraine with a freight truck. The institution clarifies that, according to the obtained evidence, there are no indications that the weapons originated from military or strategic depots, such as the Cobasna depot or those of the National Army.

According to the General Prosecutor's Office, the following were established as evidence: 18 ammunition components, eight complete ammunition elements, a surface-to-air launcher, and a 'Geran 2' type drone composed of several disassembled elements following the shooting down, showing splinters in the detachment areas, respectively with the engine disassembled and without pyrotechnic interest elements.

According to the investigation, the munitions were transported in several trips, two units each time, being taken from an unidentified depot in Ukraine, from unknown persons. These were smuggled into the Republic of Moldova, from where they were quickly taken over by several accomplices.

The export customs documents were completed for 'metal items,' destined for Israel. The persons responsible for the export customs documents and the organization of transport — the exporter, the customs broker, and the transporter — currently have the status of defendant and have been arrested.