Police detain group suspected of organizing illegal migration

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced that a criminal group suspected of organizing the illegal transportation of Moldovans to countries of the Schengen area was detained after three months of pursuit, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to the ministry, the group was headed by a 45-year-old woman from Straseni district. The group also included a man aged 34 from Hancesti town, who was wanted by the police in connection with swindles, and three Ukrainians. The suspects worked according to a plan. The woman found potential clients, who paid her by about 3,500-3,800 euros to be helped reach Ukraine. In Ukraine, they were met by another suspect, who gave them forged Ukrainian passports with Schengen visas or Portuguese staying permits that could be used to go to European states. The police are investigating the case to identify and detain all the persons involved and to find the workshop where the documents were being forged. Legal cases have been instituted against the suspects over organization of illegal migration. They are liable to fine of 1,000 to 16,000 lei or imprisonment of three to five years, with the deprivation of the right to hold a certain post or to carry out a certain activity for a period of one to three years.