Police in Moldova working with Interpol officers have broken up a snake venom smuggling gang that operated between Moldova and Afghanistan. The amount of venom seized in the interception was valued at up to 2.8 million Euros.
With closer ties being formed between Moldova and the European Union there is an opportunity for criminal gangs to try and exploit access to a lucrative market. Snake venom is used in the medicinal industry and has a value of between 800 and 2000 euros a gramme on the legitimate market.
Using information and co-operation through Interpol the Moldovan authorities conducted a month-long operation in order to set up the sting operation. Moldovan officers from Moldova General Police Inspectorate, Information and Security Service and General Prosecutor’s Office then moved in and arrested the gang.
They arrested members of the gang in possession of 9,000 vials of snake venom – about 5 kilogrammes – worth over 2.8 million euros. The venom came from snakes such as vipers and other poisonous snakes.
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