The Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS) announces on Monday, October 17, the indictment of three men accused of smuggling 23 stolen cars from the European Union, detained in January this year following 20 searches. As a precautionary measure, according to the PCCOCS, at the request of the prosecutors, a seizure of more than 1.3 million lei was ordered.

“The defendants are originally from Chisinau and Hincesti and are aged between 23 and 45. Their criminal activity has been documented since 2021 by Customs Service officers under the leadership of PCCOCS, when it was established that the members of the criminal group were fraudulently introducing into the country means of transport stolen from the EU, without payment of import duties, with their subsequent dismantling or offering for rent.

Law enforcement officials also point to the members’ criminal behaviour, which was also aimed at misleading investigations: the body numbers were falsified and one of the Japanese-made cars brought into the country was practically completely dismantled in less than four hours,” a statement from the prosecutor’s office said.

PCCOCS officials note that criminal proceedings are continuing against other persons, including those from outside Moldova, with the penalty prescribed by law for this offence being deprivation of liberty for a term of 4 to 10 years, during which time the three continue to enjoy procedural rights, including the presumption of innocence, according to the law.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the “head of the criminal group” is currently also charged in another smuggling case from 2019, handled by PCCOCS, and pending before the Court of Hancesti, concerning 13 cars stolen from the EU.