Moldovan police raid illegal lab, seizing €510k in banned drugs
Moldovan law enforcement officers have dismantled an underground laboratory producing illicit pharmaceuticals marketed nationwide through an online storefront posing as a dietary supplement retailer.
During joint raids conducted by the Chisinau Police Department and the Central Sector Prosecutor's Office, authorities seized contraband valued at over €510,000 (approx. 10 million MDL).
Operations and arrests
A 39-year-old manager of the online platform was detained in the capital for 72 hours. He has not yet been formally charged as investigations continue.
Preliminary findings indicate the online platform sold controlled substances, including anabolic steroids, androgenic compounds, and psychotropic medications. While some products were smuggled into the country, others were manufactured locally in unsanitary underground facilities.
Officers executed the search warrants with tactical support from the "Fulger" special police unit, confiscating raw chemicals, processing equipment, and finished packages.
Regulatory compliance
Authorities reiterated that psychotropic substances remain strictly regulated under national law. These medications can only be used for legitimate medical purposes and dispensed exclusively through licensed pharmacies with a valid prescription.
A formal criminal case has been initiated, and law enforcement agencies are continuing investigations to identify all co-conspirators involved in the distribution network.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
