VIDEO // Joint Moldova–Romania operation: four people detained in migrant trafficking case

Following a joint operation by the border authorities of the Border Police of  Moldova and the Romanian Border Police, four people were detained in a migrant trafficking case and six foreign nationals were detected attempting to cross the border illegally.

The incident was recorded in the early morning of February 28, near the locality of Costuleni, Ungheni district. According to the authorities, a joint border surveillance patrol noticed, with the help of technical equipment, a group of people trying to cross the Prut River illegally using an inflatable boat.

An operational exchange of information between the authorities of the two states enabled a prompt intervention by the mobile patrol. On the territory of Moldova, two Moldovan citizens suspected of facilitating the illegal crossing of migrants were identified.

The foreign nationals, originally from Bangladesh and aged between 23 and 45, were detained by the Romanian border authorities. At the same time, two other individuals, aged 23 and 29, who were working as taxi drivers, were, according to preliminary evidence, supposed to transport the migrants to western Romania.

During investigations carried out at the scene, more items relevant to the case were seized, including the air pump used to inflate the boat and mobile phones, as well as sums of money in national and foreign currency. In addition, the vehicle used in the operation was impounded until the conclusion of the investigation.

The guides, two young men aged 19 and 20, were detained for 72 hours at the request of the Ungheni Prosecutor’s Office and are being criminally investigated for migrant trafficking, in accordance with the legislation in force. The individuals benefit from the presumption of innocence until a final court ruling is issued.

The foreign nationals were returned under the Readmission Agreement between the European Union and Moldova.

The border authorities of Moldova and Romania reiterated that they would continue operational cooperation to combat cross-border crime and ensure border security.