The state institutions, in particular the law enforcement bodies, do not react to the evidence of existence of criminal schemes presented by Nistru war veterans and members of the people’s guard created by the Civic Platform “Dignity and Truth” because these schemes are safeguarded by these institutions themselves. A group of veterans made such statements in a news conference at IPN.
Former police officer Valeriu Cucu, who now runs an importation business and is a member of the people’s guard, said that he and other colleagues of his were informed by police officers of good faith that there is a criminal group that illegally imports goods into the country, causing thus damage of hundreds of thousands of lei monthly to the state budget. At the beginning of November, he and other members of the people’s guard found out where a truck loaded with merchandise, owned by a businessman who is protected by the police, will enter the country and went to the spot to see if it was a case of smuggling and to inform the law enforcement bodies.
These found the truck and the trailer full of goods that were cleared after being assessed at about 10% of their real value. When they called the police, these came with delay and, instead of dealing with the smugglers and investigating the case, attacked the veterans, asking them who allowed them to do what they did. Valeriu Cucu said that since 2012 he has informed the law enforcement bodies about the wrongdoings committed at the customs posts, but all in vain. Furthermore, his business was intensely inspected and pressure was exerted on his family.
Chiril Motpan, a member of the Platform “Dignity and Truth” and former employee of the law enforcement bodies, said there are many such groups working in Moldova. These are protected by the police and prosecutors. All the sectors that bring profit are controlled by several groups of people. The people should react to the illegalities committed by the state institutions and others and should act to stop them in accordance with the law.
According to Motpan, the company accused of smuggling was fined after the people’s guard reported this case. This shows that they were right when they acted like that. Motpan called on the people to inform the people’s guard whenever pressure is exerted on them and bribe is asked from them and they will be helped within possibilities.
The data presented by the veterans show there are five criminal groups dealing with smuggling in Moldova. These are safeguarded by customs officers, prosecutors and police. The damage caused by them to the state budget by their activity, especially by the diminution of the real value of the imported goods, amounts to 2 million lei a day. Given that the Customs Service is supposed to secure about 70% of the state budget revenues but does not do it, the pensions and salaries are derisory.
