Four Indian citizens were detected at the border between the Republic of Moldova and Romania while attempting to enter the European Union illegally

Four Indian citizens were identified in the border area between the Republic of Moldova and Romania, in the direction of the localities of Ghioltosu and Rânzești, while attempting to reach a European Union country illegally. They were detected with the help of special technical equipment and aerial observation systems equipped with thermal imaging.

The case was documented by border police officers from the Southern Regional Directorate of the General Inspectorate of Border Police, together with representatives of the General Inspectorate for Migration and under the coordination of the Cahul Prosecutor’s Office, Cantemir Office.

The investigation established that the four Indian citizens had legally entered the Republic of Moldova through Chișinău International Airport “Eugen Doga.” They were subsequently allegedly guided by individuals suspected of belonging to a criminal organization involved in facilitating illegal migration. Each migrant allegedly paid between €2,000 and €5,000 to reach the European Union.

The case is being investigated under Article 362¹ of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Moldova, concerning the organization of illegal migration by an organized criminal group or a criminal organization. The offense is punishable by imprisonment for 5 to 12 years or by a fine.

The four were taken over by the General Inspectorate for Migration. The court ordered that they be placed in public custody, and they were transferred to the Temporary Placement Centre for Foreigners. They are to be removed from the Republic of Moldova under escort and banned from entering the country for five years.