Two men were arrested for implementing a scheme to make and sell false passports, identity cards and driver’s license of the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and other EU member states. One of the suspects is a former police officer. He had been earlier tried for similar offences. Tens of searches were carried out at suspects’ homes and in their cars on Thursday, IPN reports.

The General Police Inspectorate said the criminal activities had been documented in the course of this year. To make false IDs, the suspects asked for €120 to €2,000 from applicants, depending on the type of document.

The papers were made and sold with identity data that were invented by the members of the criminal group or as the applicants asked. These were used by members of criminal groups who are suspected of wrongdoings in EU member states. Another part of the documents were used in illegal migration and to obtain employment outside the country.

The suspects, who are aged 44 and 51 and are from Chisinau, were arrested and face a maximum jail term of five years.