The Border Police and Philip Morris International combine forces to increase the safety of citizens and fight cross-border crime. Through joint actions, the authorities and private partners contribute to the prevention of illegal activities, thus protecting the population from the risks associated with illicit trade.
To this end, on March 26, 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Border Police and Philip Morris International. The partnership supports initiatives to detect and combat illicit trade in tobacco products, including through information exchange and training activities. These measures contribute to increasing the efficiency of border guards' interventions and strengthening national security.
The head of the General Border Police Inspectorate Ruslan Galușca stressed that any approach aimed at reducing illegal activities at the borders is a direct benefit for citizens, both in terms of their safety and the protection of the state's economic interests.
Philip Morris Moldova general manager Elena Naumenko highlighted the importance of public-private cooperation in preventing and combating cross-border crime, expressing her willingness to support the authorities' efforts through expertise and specialized training.
This cooperation reflects the Border Police’s commitment to strengthen border security, combat illegal activities and ensure a safer environment for all citizens of the Republic of Moldova.
The latest data published by the research company IPSOS show that between September and October 2024, the illegal trade in cigarettes in the Republic of Moldova accounted for 9.8%, a decrease of 1.9 percentage points compared to September-October 2023. It decreased after the phenomenon had steadily increased for two years.
The illicit trade in tobacco products is a challenge for European states. In 2023, there was a consumption of 35.2 billion illicit cigarettes in the EU, which represents 8.3% of total consumption in the EU. In total, EU governments lost around €11.6 billion in tax revenue.
Estimates show that criminals set up more illegal cigarette factories, which are predominantly located near Western European states. In 2023 alone, at least 113 clandestine locations in 22 countries, where cigarettes were produced, were uncovered by regional and local authorities.
