Officers of the INI organized-crime directorate, with the Ciocana criminal-investigation body and Chișinău-Ciocana prosecutors, searched the home of a 25-year-old suspect.[1] The suspect, a 25-year-old resident of Stăuceni, was detained for 72 hours on suspicion of drug trafficking.[2] Police said the man coordinated the group’s unlawful activity.[3]

At his home in the town of Stăuceni and in a BMW, officers seized 1,200 grams of cannabis and 0.5 kg of hashish.[1] Police put the haul’s value on the illicit market at about 700,000 lei.[2] Officers also seized a mobile phone containing information important to the criminal case.[1]

Investigators said the suspects obtained different types of drugs through the Telegram app and electronic payment networks.[1] The money was then transferred to current accounts in Moldovan commercial banks registered in the names of front persons.[1] A criminal case was opened, and if the court finds the man guilty he faces 7 to 15 years in prison.[2] Law-enforcement officers said the investigation was continuing to identify the group’s remaining members.[2]