Moldova's Prosecutor's Office opens criminal file for contraband of vehicles

Chisinau, 18 June /MOLDPRES/ - The Prosecutor’s Office has opened a criminal file for the contraband of vehicles in Moldova. The file fits into the fulfillment of an application by the rogatory commission from Hungary on the stealing of vehicles from the European Union, worth over 12 million lei.    

Prosecutors from the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crimes and Special Causes (PCCOCS), jointly with officers of the National Investigations Inspectorate (INI) of the Interior Ministry (MAI), through analytical support on behalf of the MAI General Police Inspectorate (IGP) have managed, in about four months, to reveal the way of activity of the concerned organized crime ring.     

„According to criminalistic examinations, decision-makers found out elements of forging identification numbers of vehicles. As a result, seven people have been recently detained and 25 vehicles were raised. On 17 June, based on prosecutors’ approaches, three members of the crime ring were placed under preventive arrest, three - under home arrest and one member was left at large,’’ the Prosecutor General’s Office said.  

Following investigations, prosecutors are to establish the entire circle of people involved in the criminal scheme, including employees of public authorities. If the guilt of the perpetrators is proved in court, under the criminal law, they run the risk of being sentenced to 4-10 years of imprisonment. In the context, the Prosecutor’s Office recommends that the citizens prove prudence and maximal vigilance when buying vehicles.   

The cooperation of authorities from Moldova, Hungary and Romania took place under the aegis of the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC).
photo: PCCOCS