Incumbent President Igor Dodon denied that his brother Alexandru Dodon and the ex-head of the Customs Service Alexandru Vâlcu were involved in the attempt to smuggle anabolic steroids that was thwarted on December 5. He said the accusations made by PPPDA MP Chiril Moțpan are aberrant and calumnious, IPN reports.

In a new edition of the online program “Igor Dodon. President Responds”, he said that several weeks ago, the senior administration was informed about suspicions that the diplomatic transport, which cannot be stopped and checked at customs posts, is used in illegalities. It was thus ordered to examine all the destinations. “It was an operation about which we knew and that was successfully completed, at least at this stage. Who is involved and how? Evidently, three are persons who ensure the transportation of these banned goods. Is the former ambassador involved or not? The Prosecutor General’s Office is to find out. I’m not a prosecutor to say if he is involved or not, but all those involved should be held accountable and they will be brought to justice,” stated Igor Dodon.

PPPDA MP Chiril Moțpan in a news conference on December 10 said the smuggling scheme involved at least two persons from Moldova’s Embassy in Moscow, two persons from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also three persons close to Igor Dodon, namely Alexandru Vâlcu, ex-head of the Customs Service; Vadim Ciubara, businessman related to Dodon, and Alexandru Dodon, the President’s brother. According to the MP, under the protection of the friends of the three, the driver of the vehicle with a diplomatic license plate for two-three times a month conveyed merchandise to the value of over €150,000.