Ex-intelligence officer accused of human smuggling

The Moldovan Ministry of Internal Affairs together with law enforcement bodies from a number of EU countries worked for 6 months to expose a international criminal organisation dealing in people smuggling and ID fraud, Oleg Putuntica, deputy head of the Ministry’s Department for Fraud Investigation, told a news conference on Tuesday. According to Putuntica, the gang composed of 12 members, including 5 Russian citizens, was headed by a 52-year-old woman, a retired intelligence officer. The gang facilitated illegal passage through the gates at the Moscow-based airports Sheremetievo-2 and Domodedovo and at the airport in Kiev for a fee of 5,500 euros. The network reportedly smuggled 2 persons daily, so its profit in 5 months of activity is estimated at 400,000 to 500,000 euros. If found guilty, the suspects could get 5 to 7 years in prison. The alleged ganger is investigated at liberty, because she raises a child and cooperates with the investigation. The ‘travel agency’ risks a fine of up to 5,000 conventional units, prohibition from performing certain activities or even closedown.