Police Dismantle Synthetic Weed Network in Major Raid

Police and gendarmes raided 14 homes. The coordinated operation dismantled a criminal group involved in selling synthetic weed. Law enforcement from four counties participated, including Cluj, Sălaj, and Maramureș, with gendarmes from Bistrița-Năsăud and Târgu-Mureș also joining the effort.

The group formed in 2018. Primarily composed of friends and relatives, it later attracted established criminals who expanded operations across multiple regions. They sold synthetic weed for 50 lei per gram. The leader, a 37-year-old man, was responsible for sourcing and preparing the substances using a unique method of spraying diluted psychoactive substances on tea leaves to create the product.

The prepared drugs were distributed among group members for sale. Proceeds were funneled back to the leader. Members were often paid in drugs rather than cash. This exploited the close ties within the group.

During the raids, authorities detained five individuals on charges of organized crime and offenses related to psychoactive substances. They discovered 42 envelopes containing vegetal substances intended for sale, artisanal cigarettes with psychoactive effects, and unidentified tablets pending expert analysis. Additionally, 75,000 lei and 2,140 euros were seized.

DIICOT prosecutors have proposed and obtained a 30-day preventive arrest for the five suspects from the Bistrița-Năsăud Tribunal. A significant blow to the illegal drug trade in the region.