Over 1,400 tree in Hâncești were cut down illegally. The damage was estimated at 680,000 lei. The case is investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime and Special Cases. According to prosecutors, 13 searches were authorized to be conducted in this case in Hâncești and Chisinau, including at a pellets company based in Hâncești district. The police identified wood without documents of origin and seized accounting documents, unofficial registers referring to received money and quantities of wood managed by Hâncești forestry companies, IPN reports.

There were also found tens of copies of IDs that allegedly belonged to intermediaries who helped to sell the wood and powers of attorney from mayor’s offices for releasing/selling firewood to other persons.

The investigations continue to establish other details and to agree a legal solution in this case.