A former border policeman from Galati, retired for eight years, escaped from prison after he was caught while pulling several parcels of cigarettes sent by boat from the Republic of Moldova on the banks of the Prut River. After reaching an agreement with the prosecutors, the smuggler received a suspended sentence and will only have to pay civil damages to the Customs Department, which slightly exceeds the amount of 100,000 lei.
Neculai Graur (55 years old) was caught by his former colleagues from Frontiera last year, in September, on the banks of the Prut, in the Vădeni area near Oancea. He had just got off a boat six parcels containing over 6,000 packs of cigarettes, “imported” illegally from the Republic of Moldova. In the face of indisputable evidence, which certified the previously suspected concerns of the retiree who left the system in 2016, the crew took legal action. He also seized the goods and the retired policeman on charges of smuggling.
Graur was sent to court after less than a month, the file being assigned to the Tg Court. Peony, according to the territorial jurisdiction, and after another six months came the first sentence. According to the decision made public earlier this week, the former border guard would have admitted his actions, entering into a plea agreement with prosecutors. He accepted, and the consent was confirmed by the court, to receive two years of suspended prison and to pay 102,072 lei, representing the amount of customs duties and other taxes owed to the Galati Customs Directorate.
Minimal punishments, if we were to take into account the fact that the crime of smuggling is punishable by imprisonment between 2 and 7 years, and the amount of taxes they owe to the state is less than twice the value of the cigarette shipment intercepted by the former colleagues on the banks of the Prut. The decision of the Court Tg. Peony is not definitive.
