The searches carried out today at Penitentiary No. 6 in Soroca ended with the transfer of 18 convicts to other prisons. There were seized a series of banned objects. A number of prisoners behaved violently while the searches were being carried out and the Special Detachment “Pantera” of the National Administration of Penitentiaries had to intervene, IPN reports.

The Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime and Special Cases said the searches are a follow-up to the investigation measures taken in the case concerning the criminal organization that worked outside and inside penitentiaries.

Even if the legislation bans the use of memory sticks in jails, about 60 such devices were found there, as were over 50 prepaid cell phone cards. There were also identified syringes with unknown liquids and several packets with dust that is to be examined.

Five detainees who behaved violently will be punished disciplinarily.