The investigation uncovered a sophisticated network that produced cigarettes in clandestine factories in Italy, France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
Members of the group used front companies to transport and distribute cigarettes, and the proceeds were subsequently laundered through investments in goods and businesses in the Republic of Moldova.
Forty searches were conducted in Chisinau, both in the homes of the suspects and in the offices of a number of business entities. As a result, the following were seized: luxury cars; more than 25,000 euros and thousands of dollars; packs of allegedly counterfeit cigarettes; illegally possessed firearms; computer equipment, documents and seals of a number of companies.
The organizer of the group, a 39-year-old man, was detained. He was allegedly responsible for recruiting and attracting workers from Ukraine and Moldova. He also managed all administrative and logistical matters, coordinating the acquisition, transportation and installation of specialized equipment for the production of cigarettes.
