Ukrainian Citizen Convicted of Large-Scale Drug Trafficking. Will Sandu Pardon Him?

The investigation into a high-profile case involving a Ukrainian citizen accused of large-scale drug trafficking has concluded: the court sentenced him to six years in prison without confiscation of property.

The ruling has not yet entered into legal force, meaning the presumption of innocence still applies. The defendant also has the right to appeal the verdict to a higher court.

Meanwhile, amid recent scandals involving pardons granted to convicted drug traffickers in Moldova, observers are asking an obvious question: will the foreign national actually serve his sentence, or could he also count on presidential clemency?

How the Dealer Was Arrested Near the “Village Museum”

Investigators established that the man distributed illegal substances through a network of hidden drug stashes across Chisinau. He was detained on September 5, 2025, in the Botanica district near the lake by the “Village Museum.” Police stopped the suspect, who then admitted where he had hidden the drugs. In the presence of law enforcement officers, the foreign citizen dug the stash out of the ground himself.

The seized substances were sent for forensic examination, which confirmed they were synthetic drugs: more than 87 grams of clephedrone and over 23 grams of PVP. Under Moldovan law, such quantities qualify as “especially large scale.”

During a search of the apartment where the suspect had been living, police discovered marijuana, high-precision electronic scales, and packaging materials including zip-lock bags, adhesive tape, and foil. Experts found traces of narcotic substances on all seized items.

In addition to the six-year prison sentence, the court prohibited the convicted man from engaging in activities related to psychotropic substances for five years after release.

The Chisinau Prosecutor’s Office noted that the sentence may still be appealed in a higher court.

Parallel Case in Ukraine: Appeal Court Toughened Sentence

Interestingly, a similar case recently unfolded in Ukraine. The Khmelnytskyi Court of Appeal reviewed the case of a 45-year-old resident of Starokostiantyniv who sold PVP through hidden stashes. The first-instance court had sentenced him to four years in prison, ruling that mitigating circumstances justified a punishment below the legal minimum. Prosecutors appealed the decision, arguing the sentence was too lenient.

The appeal court agreed with the prosecution. The panel of judges stated that a confession and remorse, while mitigating factors, could not significantly reduce the seriousness of the crime — especially given multiple trafficking episodes committed during martial law. As a result, the sentence was increased to six years in prison with confiscation of property, excluding housing.

“First Time in History”: Scandal Over Pardons for Drug Traffickers

The fate of the convicted Ukrainian drug dealer in Moldova may depend not only on the appeals court, but also on decisions by President Maia Sandu. In April 2026, Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban filed a complaint with the General Prosecutor’s Office demanding a review of the legality of Sandu’s pardon decrees.

“For the first time in the history of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, as president, has signed the largest number of decrees pardoning and releasing drug traffickers,” Ceban stated.

According to him, five decrees signed in 2021 led to the release of seven individuals convicted of trafficking drugs in especially large quantities. Ceban also accused the authorities of “direct participation in the smuggling, concealment, and distribution of all kinds of narcotics.”

The presidential administration declined to comment on the accusations.

The Pardon That Was Revoked

One of the most notable episodes involved Nikolai Shepel. In 2022, Sandu pardoned him and he was released from prison. However, in February 2026, it emerged that Shepel was allegedly part of an organized criminal group suspected of preparing murders in Ukraine. The president subsequently

The investigation into a high-profile case involving a Ukrainian citizen accused of large-scale drug trafficking has concluded: the court sentenced him to six years in prison without confiscation of property.

The ruling has not yet entered into legal force, meaning the presumption of innocence still applies. The defendant also has the right to appeal the verdict to a higher court.

Meanwhile, amid recent scandals involving pardons granted to convicted drug traffickers in Moldova, observers are asking an obvious question: will the foreign national actually serve his sentence, or could he also count on presidential clemency?

How the Dealer Was Arrested Near the “Village Museum”

Investigators established that the man distributed illegal substances through a network of hidden drug stashes across Chișinău. He was detained on September 5, 2025, in the Botanica district near the lake by the “Village Museum.” Police stopped the suspect, who then admitted where he had hidden the drugs. In the presence of law enforcement officers, the foreign citizen dug the stash out of the ground himself.

The seized substances were sent for forensic examination, which confirmed they were synthetic drugs: more than 87 grams of clephedrone and over 23 grams of PVP. Under Moldovan law, such quantities qualify as “especially large scale.”

During a search of the apartment where the suspect had been living, police discovered marijuana, high-precision electronic scales, and packaging materials including zip-lock bags, adhesive tape, and foil. Experts found traces of narcotic substances on all seized items.

In addition to the six-year prison sentence, the court prohibited the convicted man from engaging in activities related to psychotropic substances for five years after release.

The Chisinau Prosecutor’s Office noted that the sentence may still be appealed in a higher court.

Parallel Case in Ukraine: Appeal Court Toughened Sentence

Interestingly, a similar case recently unfolded in Ukraine. The Khmelnytskyi Court of Appeal reviewed the case of a 45-year-old resident of Starokostiantyniv who sold PVP through hidden stashes. The first-instance court had sentenced him to four years in prison, ruling that mitigating circumstances justified a punishment below the legal minimum. Prosecutors appealed the decision, arguing the sentence was too lenient.

The appeal court agreed with the prosecution. The panel of judges stated that a confession and remorse, while mitigating factors, could not significantly reduce the seriousness of the crime — especially given multiple trafficking episodes committed during martial law. As a result, the sentence was increased to six years in prison with confiscation of property, excluding housing.

“First Time in History”: Scandal Over Pardons for Drug Traffickers

The fate of the convicted Ukrainian drug dealer in Moldova may depend not only on the appeals court, but also on decisions by President Maia Sandu. In April 2026, Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban filed a complaint with the General Prosecutor’s Office demanding a review of the legality of Sandu’s pardon decrees.

“For the first time in the history of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, as president, has signed the largest number of decrees pardoning and releasing drug traffickers,” Ceban stated.

According to him, five decrees signed in 2021 led to the release of seven individuals convicted of trafficking drugs in especially large quantities. Ceban also accused the authorities of “direct participation in the smuggling, concealment, and distribution of all kinds of narcotics.”

The presidential administration declined to comment on the accusations.

The Pardon That Was Revoked

One of the most notable episodes involved Nikolai Shepel. In 2022, Sandu pardoned him and he was released from prison. However, in February 2026, it emerged that Shepel was allegedly part of an organized criminal group suspected of preparing murders in Ukraine. The president subsequently revoked the pardon decree.

The case demonstrated that a presidential pardon in Moldova is not necessarily a guarantee of permanent freedom, particularly if new aggravating circumstances emerge.

Whether the Ukrainian citizen convicted of large-scale drug trafficking will be able to obtain a reduced sentence on appeal or receive a presidential pardon remains unclear for now.