Drug trafficking network in Bistrița-Năsăud dismantled by DIICOT: five detained
DIICOT Bistrița-Năsăud has dismantled a gang of psychoactive substance traffickers active since 2018. Five people were detained following 14 house searches.
Five members of a psychoactive substance trafficking network detained following 14 searches in Bistrița-Năsăud
A gang specialising in drug and psychoactive substance trafficking has been dismantled by police and prosecutors from DIICOT Bistrița-Năsăud, according to Cotidianul.ro. Five people were detained, with investigators claiming that members of the network commercialised psychoactive products in an organised manner over several years.
According to investigators, the gang was established in 2018, on the basis of pre-existing friendly relations between the founding members. The stated purpose of the network was to obtain significant income from the sale of psychoactive substances.
Leader, a 37-year-old man
At the head of the gang was a 37-year-old man with a central role in all the network's operations. Investigators claim he was responsible for supplying substances and preparing products intended for sale. The preparation process involved diluting and spraying substances over tea leaves, using a recipe that the leader kept exclusively to himself.
The products thus obtained were distributed to other members of the gang, who were responsible for sales. Investigators claim that the leader also exploited the dependency of some members, rewarding them for their activity with quantities of narcotics instead of money.
An important role in the network was also held by a relative of the leader, who reportedly participated in both the preparation and distribution of substances, as well as in supplying the group and direct sales to consumers.
Selling price: approximately 50 lei per gramme
According to the evidence gathered, the substances were commercialised at around 50 lei per gramme. Part of the merchandise was rendered unavailable during the investigation. Investigators claim that, during the gang's existence, its members and five other people would have acquired, held, handled and sold various quantities of psychoactive products.
Monday operation: 14 searches and goods seized
The investigation culminated on Monday with a large-scale operation in which police executed 14 house search warrants. Officers discovered and seized 42 envelopes of vegetable substance prepared for sale, handmade cigarettes with psychoactive effects and several tablets that are to be analysed by experts. Investigators also confiscated 75,000 lei and 2,140 euros, along with other evidence.
The operation involved police from organised crime-fighting units in Bistrița-Năsăud, Cluj-Napoca, Sălaj and Maramureș, together with officers from IPJ Bistrița-Năsăud and gendarmes.
Proposal for 30-day preventive detention
DIICOT prosecutors ordered the detention of the five people on 31 August. On Tuesday, they were presented to the judge of rights and freedoms at Bistrița-Năsăud Tribunal, with a proposal for preventive arrest for 30 days.
Investigations continue in order to establish the full scope of the criminal activity and all persons involved. The persons under investigation benefit from the presumption of innocence.
Source: Cotidianul.ro