DIICOT: 65 searches in a cargo theft case. The estimated damage amounts to 9 million euros

DIICOT prosecutors and police officers from the Pitești Brigade for Combating Organized Crime carried out 65 searches on Tuesday, November 3, in Argeș, Dâmbovița, Ilfov, Dolj, Prahova, Bihor and Bucharest, in a case targeting a group accused of diverting approximately 70 cargo shipments. The estimated damage amounts to 9 million euros.

Fourteen of the searches were carried out under European Investigation Orders issued by the Belgian judicial authorities. The investigation concerns the formation of an organized criminal group, fraud with extremely serious consequences, computer forgery and money laundering.

According to investigators, the group was allegedly established in March 2024 by five people and subsequently grew to approximately 30 members. The suspects used companies under their control to obtain transport contracts in Romania and abroad, after which they fraudulently appropriated the goods.

The methods allegedly used included transferring loads to other trucks, changing trailers and license plates, or simulating technical failures. The goods were then sold on the black market.

The shipments allegedly contained electronics and household appliances, grain, raw materials, cosmetics, beverages and other consumer goods. Romania and Belgium formed a joint investigation team in February 2026, under the coordination of EUROJUST. The suspects are being questioned at DIICOT Pitești.

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