Cigarettes to the value of over 800,000 lei were seized during about 20 searches carried out by the police. Six suspects aged between 35 and 60 are being investigated. Two of them were earlier tried, IPN reports.

According to the General Police Inspectorate, a minibus transporting cigarettes hidden under containers of bread was stopped not far from Ocnita town on March 16. The contraband was to reach Ukraine.

One day earlier, the involved persons stored 25 boxes of cigarettes without excise stamps at a base in Ocnita town, not far from the place where the minibus was stopped. The police found and confiscated the cigarettes. Simultaneously, a Toyota Corolla Verso car was stopped near Sangerei town. This was carrying 15 boxes of cigarettes that were to be smuggled to Ukraine.

The six suspects were caught red-handed. Two of them were arrested for 30 days. Another two persons were placed under house arrest, while the other two are investigated outside remand. If they are found guilty, they will serve up to ten years in jail and will be fined 250,000 to 500,000 lei.