A criminal network involved in the illegal smuggling of migrants across the Moldova-Romania border has been dismantled following a joint operation by the Border Police of the Republic of Moldova and the Ungheni Prosecutor’s Office. Four Moldovan citizens suspected of facilitating illegal border crossings have been detained.
Border police intercepted a group of people travelling through the border protection zone near the village of Buzduganii de Jos in Ungheni district, heading toward the Prut River. The group consisted of seven Bangladeshi nationals aged between 22 and 38, who were allegedly preparing to cross illegally into Romania.
During questioning, the migrants told investigators they intended to reach European Union countries and were expected to pay €1,000 each for the smuggling service.
Authorities subsequently identified and detained four Moldovan men, aged between 19 and 31, suspected of organizing the operation. According to investigators, each member had a specific role: one recruited the migrants, another transported them close to the Prut River, while the others were responsible for facilitating the border crossing using an inflatable boat.
The suspects were initially detained for 72 hours. At the request of the Ungheni Prosecutor’s Office, a court later imposed 30-day preventive measures: three of the suspects were placed in pre-trial detention, while the fourth was placed under house arrest.