Approximately 14 tons of ethyl alcohol and over 650 thousand counterfeit cigarettes were seized by law enforcement following searches conducted in the city of Balti and Drochia district. According to the Border Police, the counterfeit goods were intended to be smuggled and sold in countries of the European Union, reports IPN.
The authorities mention that as a result of special investigation measures, it was established that the cigarettes would have been manufactured both in the Republic of Moldova and in Ukraine, and they even carried labels of some Moldovan brands.
Law enforcement officers have carried out around 10 searches in Balti and the Drochia district. The detected goods were seized and made unavailable, pending examination. The total value of the seized products is estimated at over 2.5 million lei.
The file involves three suspects, aged between 38 and 54 years old. They are being investigated while at liberty. The investigations continue in order to establish all the circumstances and identify other people involved in the scheme.
