The police arrested three persons on suspicion that they applied an illegal scheme to smuggle clothes, footwear and other goods into Moldova. The goods were later sold at markets in Chisinau and in districts. The scheme involved a customs inspector and a broker of the customs office “Centru”, IPN reports.

Prosecutor Anatolie Pitel told a news conference that the investigation was launched at the beginning of this year. It was established that in 2016-2017, consumer goods to the value of over 27 million lei were brought into Moldova by using false documents. In some cases, the imports weren’t cleared and no import duties were paid.

During searches at the suspected company, the police found over half a million lei in cash. The money was confiscated to ensure the damage caused by the offense is compensated.

The criminal case started over smuggling was sent to court. The suspects face three to ten years in jail, while the legal entity a fine of 300,000 to 550,000 lei, with ban on performing particular activities and with liquidation of the legal entity.