A criminal group smuggling cars from Europe to the Republic of Moldova has been exposed by INI officers in collaboration with PCCOCS prosecutors. Law enforcement officers carried out 20 searches in Chisinau municipality and Straseni rayon, seizing nine cars, large sums of money, forged documents, drugs and explosives, IPN reports.

According to the investigation, the group had been active since 2020 and used a complex scheme to smuggle cars, parts and accessories. The cars were not registered when leaving their country of origin and license plates were reused on vehicles identical in model and technical characteristics. Some cars were dismantled, others had their VINs altered so they could be sold legally.

After the raids, the authorities seized nine cars, €16,000 in proceeds of crime, 51 temporary technical passports, draft documents, cocaine-type drugs, a gun and plastic explosives hidden in a stove at a suspect's home.

Investigations are continuing to identify other cars smuggled into the country. According to the authorities, four people have already been questioned. The law provides for 4 to 10 years in prison.