Moldovan contrabandists who were convicted in European states remain at large in Moldova, said representatives of the public association “Right to Justice”. In a news conference hosted by IPN, the association’s chairman Pavel Grigorchuk said that regrettably, in many European states smuggling in cigarettes flourishes, with this having its roots in Eastern Europe, including the Republic of Moldova. This phenomenon, according to him, has a significant impact on the economy of the European states. Some of the states are seriously affected by the volume of contraband: each fourth packet of cigarettes on sale was smuggled or was made clandestinely.
“This illegal business is controlled by international criminal groups that unfortunately include compatriots of ours. The protagonist of our investigation is citizen Mihail Filip Raileanu, who was born on September 19, 1981. He is also a citizen of Romania where he is wanted, being featured in other criminal cases. He is one of the barons, kings of Moldovan smuggling and is also one of the largest suppliers of cigarettes. But he smuggles not only cigarettes. We possess information that this grouping is also involved in drug trafficking. The man was sentenced in Belgium to seven years in jail, but this fact does not prevent him from smuggling considerable contraband in partnership with the international criminal underworld,” said Pavel Grigorchuk.
The leader of “Right to Justice” reminded that this January, the gendarmerie of France managed to annihilate the largest clandestine cigarettes factory in the country’s history. Later, the law in France made approaches to the Moldovan authorities as Moldovan citizens also worked at that clandestine factory.
“Regrettably, some of the representatives of our law enforcement agencies sabotaged the investigations and refused to help their French mates. In connection with this fact, back in February we published the Romanian passport of this citizen (Mihail Filip Raileanu) to inform public opinion and to urge Moldovan justice to deal with such characters who cause damage to the friend states of the Republic of Moldova,” noted the activist.
Pavel Grigorchuk said that even if Raileanu was convicted and was put on the wanted list through Interpol, he moves freely in Moldova. The association made approaches to the authorities and the law enforcement agencies, depicting in detail illegal aspects of his activities. The representatives of the public association “Right to Justice” demand that the sentence in Belgium should be put into practice. As the Republic of Moldova does not extradite its own citizens, Raileanu should be handcuffed here and made to serve his punishment.
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