Two Ukrainian women sentenced to prison in the Republic of Moldova after attempting to illegally take out $400,000 and €270,000

Nearly 13 million lei were confiscated for the benefit of the state following an attempted currency-smuggling operation at the Sculeni border crossing. Two women from Ukraine, who attempted to illegally take the money out of the Republic of Moldova in the spring of 2022, were sentenced to prison.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases, one of the women, aged 49, received a six-year prison sentence, while her accomplice, aged 24, was sentenced to four years and six months in prison. The court also ordered the confiscation of the entire amount.

The two women were traveling separately to Romania. The 49-year-old was driving a luxury Land Rover, while the other was traveling as a passenger in a minibus. Both declared that they were not carrying any undeclared goods or valuables.

During thorough checks, customs inspectors discovered nearly $400,000 in the driver’s bag and approximately €270,000 in the other woman’s suitcase. Some of the money was hidden inside a box of intimate hygiene products.

The investigation established that the suspects were part of a criminal scheme, with the 49-year-old serving as its organizer. Calculated at the exchange rate applicable at the time, the confiscated amount was worth nearly 13 million lei.