14 Moldovan citizens, detained in the Czech Republic, and a seizure of almost 17,700,000 illicit cigarettes and over 11,000 kg of tobacco
In the framework of international cooperation, a criminal group was destroyed, consisting of 22 members, 14 of whom were citizens of the Republic of Moldova, involved in the clandestine production of cigarettes on the territory of the Czech Republic, which caused a damage of approximately 120 million euros to the budget of the European Union . As the crime was committed in the Czech Republic, they are to be tried in that state.
Thus, SIS officers and PCCOCS prosecutors announce the launch of a large-scale operation with the Czech authorities, which led to the detention of 14 Moldovan citizens, after the seizure of almost 17,700,000 clandestinely produced cigarettes and over 11,000 kg of tobacco, on the territory of the European state . Counterfeit cigarettes were produced in the Czech Republic and later delivered to various European Union countries (Germany, Romania, Poland, France, etc.).
The operation was carried out by the SIS officers, who provided operational support in the collection of information, PCCOCS prosecutors, EUBAM Mission experts, the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Border Police and customs officers from the Investigations Section of the General Directorate of Customs of the Czech Republic.
In addition to the searches carried out at the end of June 2023, 30,000 euros in cash, funds in bank accounts, a car worth 100 thousand euros and a truck were seized as a means of committing the crime. There were also raids in Moldova, on the extras investigated, where additional evidence was obtained regarding criminal activities carried out by them, including draft documents, parts for cigarette production machinery, matrices for applying the inscription on cigarettes, mobile phones, €15,000 in cash, a luxury car worth €80,000 and a gun.
The clandestine cigarette factory was located in the region of the city of Česká Lípa in the Czech Republic. At the site, several clandestine lines were erected that ensured the entire counterfeiting process (shredding, tobacco fermentation, production, filter application and packaging) of filter cigarettes.
The 14 citizens of Moldova are between 24 and 66 years old. They previously worked in tobacco factories in the Republic of Moldova, and some of them were in conflict with the law. In the scheme investigated in the Czech Republic, one of them was the organizer, involved in activities of ensuring the production process with raw material, monitoring the activity of clandestine production and identifying customers for cigarettes. Another main figure was the role of hiring engineers and auxiliary workers for the installation of clandestine lines and the illegal production of tobacco products. The other 12 people were technical engineers, auxiliary workers and drivers.
Investigations are ongoing, including regarding other members allegedly involved in the illicit activity, during which they benefit from the presumption of innocence, according to the law.
► Video footage of the operation
