| MOBILIZATION AGAINST CRIME 09/03/2009 |
| (2009-03-09) |
| Last updated: 2009-03-10 14:59 EET |
Over the past two weeks thousands of police forces and gendarmes have been mobilized in all troubled areas of Romania. Their actions were mainly directed against criminal networks. Started against the backdrop of the Interior Ministry’s tainted image, and fuelled by a spate of more or less serious robberies, that spread fear across the country, the operation can be considered a success. Hundreds of criminals from various areas of the country, known for their involvement in drug trafficking, attempted murder, loan sharking and blackmail, have been busted.
An activity report made public by Interior Ministry officials, accounting for the first part of the police operation called ‘’The Street”, to unfold until the end of the month, has shown that over 4500 criminals have been apprehended, and 250 national arrest warrants have been served. 1,500 of them have committed serious crimes while 29-day arrest warrants have been issued for another 300. Moreover, 70 organized crime cells have been dismantled. Weapons, credit cards, mobile phones, IT equipment and jewelry aimed for illegal trading , have been recovered.
According to Interior Minister, Dan Nica, ‘’we needed a crack down aimed to reinstate people’s confidence that we have control over the street and the criminals.’’ He gave assurances that the police operations would continue, with a view to tracking criminal networks, preventing organized crime and ensuring safety throughout the country. According to minister Nica, special attention will be paid to tracking and catching those who hold weapons illegally and who take advantage of vulnerable categories such as old people and children.
"It’s our duty to prove that we are in control and that we have this issue of public order and safety under control. I will not hesitate to replace or dismiss any employee, irrespective of their rank and position in the ministry structures, if they don’t do their job. Those who do their job can further work with the Interior Ministry, those who don’t, have to leave."
According to Nica, those in charge of protecting the citizens have to make their presence felt, the police have to act more firmly and, if they have information about criminal groups, they should act upon it.
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2025-04-03
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