The Consumer Protection Agency denies that it was transferred the powers to fine the street vendors and to confiscate their merchandise, as the deputy head of the Chisinau Police Division Silviu Musuc asserted.

The Agency’s press officer Viorica Sterbet has told IPN that the Agency is monitoring authorized trading. The combating of street trading continues to be within the competence of the police and the Main State Tax Inspectorate.

In the March 25 meeting of Chisinau City Hall officials, Silviu Musuc said that the municipal police will not be able to fine street vendors any more. They will only write reports on the identified violations, while the fine will be set by the Consumer Protection Agency. According to him, the changes are part of the reform carried out at the Ministry of the Interior. Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca expressed his dissatisfaction, saying these changes will only encourage street trading.