On the night of July 26-27, in one of the localities of Cahul district, the Security and Intelligence Service jointly with the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases uncovered the activity of a criminal group specialized in cigarette smuggling. Officers detained a minibus with 179 boxes of Ashima cigarettes without excise stamp.
Moreover, two inflatable boats, engines for them, and fast inflation pumps were found in the cargo compartment of the minibus, confirming the intention of smuggling. The goods were to be transported illegally to Romania, circumventing customs posts.
According to operative information, this type of cigarettes was bought in Transnistrian region at a price of about 360 euros for a box, while in Romania it can be sold for 800 euros.
During the operation, 6 people directly involved in the transportation of smuggled goods were identified and detained. According to the criminal law, smuggling of excise goods is punished with imprisonment from 4 to 10 years.
