Law enforcement agencies published the results of the operation carried out on November 21 in several localities in the south of Moldova. The searches were carried out in a network of gas stations, which is owned by the wife of the MP of Gagauzia, Ilya Uzun. Law enforcement agencies seized petroleum products and money, the origin of which the company administrator could not justify, and at some gas stations they sold fuel without a license at all.
Employees of the Investigation Inspectorate and the Tax Service, led by the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases, reported the results of searches at a company that operates a network of gas stations in the south of the country in a case of tax evasion and money laundering, which has been under investigation since July 2024.
On November 21, employees of several departments and the prosecutor’s office, with the support of Fulger special forces, conducted searches in several localities in the south of Moldova – in the fuel company and its administrator, it says in a press release.
During the searches, more than 3.8 tons gasoline A95 or more 3.5 tons diesel fuel of Euro-5 standard – company managers were unable to provide documents on the origin of the goods. Also discovered were contracts, documents and drafts important for criminal prosecution; computer; fiscal documents, and more 800 thousand lei – the administrator could not prove that they were obtained legally.
The investigation established that the sale of gasoline, diesel fuel and liquefied gas at gas stations in Bessarabeasca, Cantemir, Comrat and Vulcanesti was carried out without a license from the National Energy Regulatory Agency. Thus, the company illegally received income in the amount of more than 3.3 million lei, prosecutors say.
In addition, during the operation, violations of consumer rights were recorded at gas stations. Among them are the lack of necessary markings, lack of metrological verification of gas station tanks, and others.
As a result of the operation, the company’s accountant was detained, and the administrator will remain at large during the investigation.
According to nokta, the investigation concerns a network of gas stations Conan-Petrolwhose owner is Nadezhda Uzun, the wife of the Zambashkan of Gagauzia, Ilya Uzun.
Gas station of the Conan-Petrol network in Gagauzia, photo: nokta
On Thursday, the media reported about searches of Ilya Uzun’s house. On Friday, police released a video of the operation.
Read also: Dividends worth millions, salaries worth hundreds of thousands, shares in companies and a disappeared house – what the family of the first deputy Uzun declared
**Considering the public outrage and accusations of political influence, how might the investigation and potential trial of Nadezhda Uzun be affected by public perception and potential pressure from influential parties?**
## World Today News Exclusive: Unpacking the Conan-Petrol Scandal
**Interview with:**
* **Dr. Elena Mihai:** Legal expert specializing in financial crimes and corporate accountability.
* **Dumitru Popescu:** Investigative journalist with extensive experience covering corruption in Moldova.
**Host:** Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re diving deep into the recent raid of the Conan-Petrol gas station network, owned by Nadezhda Uzun, wife of Gagauzia’s Governor, Ilya Uzun.
Joining us are Dr. Elena Mihai, a legal expert, and Dumitru Popescu, an investigative journalist with a keen eye for corruption.
Dr. Mihai, let’s start with you. What are the key legal implications of the search operation and the seized assets, including the 800,000 lei?
**Dr. Mihai:** This case presents a complex legal landscape.
The seizure of undocumented fuel products and a significant sum of money without proper justification raises serious red flags concerning potential tax evasion and money laundering. The investigation will likely focus on proving the origin of these funds and establishing a link to any illicit activities.
**Host:** Mr. Popescu, you’ve been investigating potential corruption in regional governments for years. How does this case fit into the wider context, and what signals does it send?
**Mr. Popescu:** This case echoes a worrying trend of alleged impropriety within influential circles.
The reported lack of licensing for fuel sales at several Conan-Petrol stations raises concerns about regulatory oversight and potential illegal profiteering.
It highlights a pressing need for greater transparency and accountability from powerful individuals and their businesses. The public deserves clarity on how these allegations are addressed and whether there will be appropriate consequences if wrongdoing is proven.
**Host:** Let’s delve into the specifics of the operation. We saw reports of Fulger special forces being involved.
Dr. Mihai, what are the implications of using such specialized units in a case like this?
**Dr. Mihai:** The deployment of special forces suggests the authorities considered the operation high-risk and possibly anticipated resistance.
It underscores the gravity of the allegations and the potential involvement of organized crime elements. It’s a clear message that authorities are willing to use all available resources to pursue these investigations.
**Host:** Mr. Popescu, how do you see the public reacting to this news, considering the ties of the Conan-Petrol network to a prominent political figure?
**Mr. Popescu:** This case has ignited a wave of public outrage and calls for justice.
Many people see this as a clear example of powerful individuals abusing their positions for personal gain. This case is a test for Moldovan institutions; how they handle it will greatly influence public trust in the rule of law.
**Host:** Dr. Mihai, looking ahead, what are the potential outcomes of this investigation?
**Dr. Mihai:** The investigation still has a long way to go.
Prosecutors need to gather strong evidence, build a solid case, and potentially secure cooperation from key witnesses. Depending on the evidence, we could see charges ranging from tax evasion and money laundering to bribery and possibly even organized crime involvement.
**Host:** Thank you both for your time and expert insights. This is a developing story, and World Today News will continue to keep our readers informed of any new developments.
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