Joint Customs Operation ROMOLUK 3 as a Good Example of Customs Cooperation Across Ukraine, Moldova and Romania
August 25, 2026
A refrigerated truck carrying “fresh strawberries” approached the Mamalyha–Criva border crossing point on its way from Ukraine to Moldova on 30 June. But anomalies in its cargo compartment told a different story.
Customs officers discovered 357,000 packs of Ritm cigarettes without excise stamps concealed inside. The consignment was worth an estimated EUR 290,000–385,000.
Less than a month later, on 25 July, officers detected structural anomalies in another truck at the same crossing point. Its tanker was declared empty. A detailed inspection revealed 105,000 packs of cigarettes hidden inside, valued at approximately EUR 85,000.
These were the two largest seizures made during Joint Customs Operation ROMOLUK 3, conducted in June and July this year. Coordinated by EUAM Ukraine with support from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the operation connected customs authorities from Ukraine, Moldova and Romania through real-time information exchange, coordinated risk profiling and aligned controls.
EUAM Ukraine provided the framework for this cooperation, helping the three state customs authorities turn separate national controls into a coordinated regional response.
The results went well beyond the two interceptions at Mamalyha–Criva. Across 25 major interventions, officers seized more than 9.4 million cigarettes. They also intercepted over one tonne of other tobacco products, 2,200 heated tobacco sticks and 3.25 kg of waterpipe tobacco.
The operation also uncovered undeclared cash equivalent to EUR 672,650, alongside chemicals and toxic substances, alcohol, two weapons and two luxury watches.
“Smuggling networks do not stop at national borders. Neither can the response,” said Dorel Fronea, Strategic Customs Adviser at EUAM Ukraine. “ROMOLUK 3 showed what becomes possible when customs authorities share information quickly, assess risks together and coordinate their actions. A warning raised in one country can lead to an interception in another.”
ROMOLUK 3 did more than remove illegal goods from circulation. It strengthened trust, tested common procedures and laid the groundwork for future joint operations.
