Department investigating organized crime and terrorist networks in Craiova conducted 53 house hold searches in Craiova (47), Bacau (4) and Pitesti (2) to annihilate a trans-border organized crime network specialized in arms smuggling and electronic payment frauds, Romanian news agency Agerpres informs.

30 people were brought in for questioning. According to a press release, those suspected are part of a organized crime network in Craiova, South Romania and introduced illegally in Romania, through some Bulgarian citizens lethal arms and ammunition. Arms were afterwards sold to persons in the underworld in Craiova who used them in street fights.

Leaders of the group were identified as Nicolae Dirivan Dumitru, Parnica Viorel, Parnica Ion, Miclescu Stazian, Poenaru Altafin, Gheorghiev Chiril Olegov, Bulgarian citizen and Poenaru Gabi Alin.