(8:57) 50 officers from the "Fulger" task force  have begun a massive investigation on drug trade in Soroca.

During the investigation, two suspects tried to run away, but were caught soon after. Another member locked himself in his own house and the officers had to enter the apartment through the window. 

According to the source, the criminal group has over 25 members, while the 5 already detained were previously trialed.

The investigation is still ongoing.

(UPDATE 09:31) So far, over 40 spots were searched, on the suspicion of drug dealing.

At least 15 people have already been detained.

The operation takes place in Soroca and its nearby regions, with officers from PCCOCS and  Anti-Drug Directorate of General Police Inspectorate.

According to the source, the group is suspecting of distributing various hallucinogenic substances.

So far over 5 kg of marijuana, hashish, ecstasy pills, amphetamine, ethnobotanical drugs and illegal weapons were seized.

The investigation started over four months ago and the police managed to establish that the group has at least 25 members.

(UPDATE 14:07) After investigations in multiple spots from Soroca, 14 more  residents from Soroca, ranging between 27 - 47-year-old, were detained for 72 hours. Some of them were previously condemned for similar acts, blackmail, swindling, theft.

They are suspected of smuggling drugs from European Union and distributing them on the territory of Republic of Moldova and a part in Russia.

After searching over 50 cars and apartments, officers managed to confiscate over 20 kg of marijuana, 1 kg of hashish, hallucinogen pills (alprazolam and tramadol), guns, hunting rifles and a smoke grenade, along with cell phone and other items that could be used as evidence.

If found guilty the men risks 7 to 15 years of imprisonment.