Twelve Sri Lankan workers targeted in DIICOT investigation into drug trafficking in Bucharest
A network comprising 12 people of Sri Lankan origin is being investigated for distributing drugs at events in the capital and Ilfov county. The police operation targeted 15 residences, and one death is linked to the group's activities.
Twelve Sri Lankan workers targeted in DIICOT investigation into drug trafficking in Bucharest
Law enforcement descended on 15 residences in Bucharest, Ilfov, and Dâmbovița on Monday in an operation coordinated by DIICOT prosecutors and organised crime officers. The action aims to dismantle a network specialised in the distribution of psychoactive substances across the capital and surrounding areas.
The 12 suspects, all from Sri Lanka, were on Romanian territory with valid work documents dating from 2024. The investigation established that, beginning in June 2025, they had formed a criminal group with the aim of obtaining material gains from the repeated sale of drugs classified as moderate and high risk.
The individuals allegedly controlled several apartments used as storage facilities and sales outlets. The narcotics were sold during private parties organised for members of their community.
The network operated on several fronts: procurement of substances, storage, and delivery to regular or occasional buyers. Transactions took place both at fixed locations and during evenings and events held in Bucharest.
A parallel investigation is examining the circumstances of an incident that occurred during the night of 29 to 30 June 2025. During a private party attended by over 200 guests, one member of the group allegedly put drugs classified as moderate and high risk up for sale. A participant, a young man, suffered cardio-respiratory arrest and died as a result of consuming a mixture of cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, and ketamine.
During the searches, investigators seized quantities of cannabis and cannabis resin, cocaine, ecstasy pills, and methamphetamine. These are believed to have come from the group's commercial activities in Bucharest and localities in Ilfov county.
The suspects are being questioned at DIICOT's central headquarters, with the support of officers from the Special Intervention Brigade.
Source: Google News RO — Crime (ro)