Two men were sentenced to prison time by the Monaco Criminal Court for stealing 47 bottles of alcohol worth over €4,200 from the Carrefour Market in Port Hercule…
The 36-year-old Moldovan and 39-year-old Ukrainian, both unemployed, confessed to stealing the expensive bottles over four consecutive days in early October. Their motive? To resell the alcohol to finance replacement drugs for their opioid addiction.
The thefts were discovered when the supermarket manager noticed the disappearance of several premium spirits. After reviewing surveillance footage, police observed the suspects’ consistent pattern of entering the store, filling their bags and then quickly escaping. Following a subsequent tip-off, the police caught the pair red-handed on the escalator at Monaco train station, as they were preparing to return to Nice.
In addition to the alcohol theft, the Moldovan was also accused of stealing two pairs of headphones from Fnac worth €219. Despite their repeated offenses, the two men showed little remorse and provided vague explanations during the hearing, frustrating the presiding magistrate.
Prosecutor Emmanuelle Carniello argued for firm sentences, citing the premeditated nature of their crimes. The court followed her recommendations, sentencing the Moldovan to six months and the Ukrainian to three months in prison. Both men are banned from entering the Principality for the next ten years. The Moldovan will face another hearing to determine if he should be deported to his home country.
This case is yet another example of the Monegasque authorities’ zero-tolerance approach to crime, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining law and order in the Principality. With swift actions and tough sentences, the court continues to clamp down on offenders, reinforcing Monaco’s reputation as a place where illegal activity is met with firm consequences and ensuring a safe environment for residents and visitors alike.