Romanian-Moldovan Group Dismantled After Allegedly Smuggling 70 Million Cigarettes

A criminal group made up of Romanian and Moldovan citizens allegedly moved about 70 million cigarettes into Romania by hiding them among food shipments in refrigerated trucks.

The Public Ministry said the network operated in Romania from 2025. On Aug. 29, police stopped a car and a truck near Giurgiu and found numerous cigarettes concealed in a shipment of onions.

The investigation continued the next day with 22 home searches and 26 vehicle searches across several counties and Bucharest. Prosecutors detained six defendants and placed another under judicial control on allegations including forming an organized criminal group and possessing or selling improperly marked excise goods.

Authorities estimate the operation caused about 62.6 million lei, or 11.94 million euros, in losses to Romania’s state budget. Searches resulted in the seizure of 6,337,197 cigarettes, while another 7,199,780 cigarettes had already been seized during the investigation. Nine vehicles were also placed under seizure.

The six detained defendants are due to appear in court as prosecutors seek preventive detention. Europol supported the investigation.