VIDEO // Four amphetamine laboratories dismantled in Moldova, EU; drugs diluted in wine, later extracted in laboratories

The Border Police and Prosecutor’s Office for Combating the organized crime and Special Causes (PCCOCS), in cooperation with Eurojust, Europol and authorities from five European states, have dismantled a transnational network specialized in the production and trafficking of amphetamine and methamphetamine. As a result of the authorities' actions, four clandestine laboratories were liquidated—two in  Moldova and the others in Poland and Hungary. In total, 16 individuals were apprehended in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova and Bulgaria, including the group leaders.

The authorities documented the distribution by the criminal group of about 30 kilograms of amphetamine, with a total estimated value of around 2.1 million euros, equivalent to approximately 42 million lei in Moldova.

“The Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS) and the Directorate for Cross-Border Crime Investigation created a joint investigation team in July 2023, with the support of Eurojust and Europol, initiated by Moldova and Romania. Later, more countries joined this team, such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Bulgaria,” said PCCOCS chief Victor Furtuna at a press conference.

For his part, the head of the General Inspectorate of Border Police, Ruslan Galusca, said that the operation had begun in July 2023, when the Border Police received information about some suspicious activities in the country's northern area. Subsequently, the complex nature of the actions showed that a more comprehensive investigation was needed and the Border Police activated all national and international cooperation mechanisms.

“Documenting the circulation of drugs valued over 2 million euros reflects the high level of danger posed by this criminal group and the potential impact on regional security,” said Ruslan Galusca.

The head of the Cross-Border Investigation Division within the General Inspectorate of the Border Police (IGPF), Eugen Batâr, said that, as a result of the authorities' actions, 5 kg of methamphetamine, 40 kg of pills containing ephedrine, hundreds of kilograms of substances and chemical precursors necessary for methamphetamine’s production, 70 kg of chemical residues, specialized equipment, two vehicles used for drugs’ transportation, electronic devices and cash were seized.

According to a PCCOCS prosecutor, Vitalie Florean, on November 11, 18 searches were conducted—12 in Moldova and the rest in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania.

“As a result of the checks, 16 people were detained. Among those detained, there were the leaders of the criminal group, a Moldovan citizen previously convicted to 10 years in the Czech Republic for cocaine trafficking and a Czech citizen. All 16 individuals have been placed under preventive arrest for further investigations.”

Batâr specified that two individuals had been detained in Moldova; they were responsible for the production and transportation of the drugs.

He noted that the group's way of operation had been quite complex:

“Group members used transportation with hiding spots, or the drugs were diluted in liquids like alcohol or other carbonated beverages. Upon reaching the final destination, the methamphetamine substance was extracted in special laboratories.”

The amount transported in a single vehicle varied between 3 and 8 kilograms, with smuggling operations conducted twice a month.

According to the prosecutor, the individuals detained in Moldova have been placed under preventive arrest for 30 days for illegal drug circulation and smuggling, offenses, punishable by 15 and 10 years of imprisonment, respectively.

Criminal investigations continue.





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