Seven prisoners aged between 25 and 40, threatening another prisoner with use of violence, obtained 280,000 lei from this on the pretext of a debt accumulated after playing cards games of chance. The men face new penalties for blackmail, IPN reports.

According to the General Police Inspectorate, the searches were carried out in the penitentiaries in Chisinau, Pruncul, Leova, Cricova and Brăneşti. In the cells of the seven men, the police found and seized data storage and communication devices, money, cash withdrawal receipts and drafts.

The men were convicted of blackmail, illegal crossing of the state border, robbery, swindle, keeping of guns and munitions and involvement in criminal organizations.