Moldova Customs chiefs detained in $40k bribery case
The head of the Căușeni Internal Customs Post has been detained for 72 hours by officers of the National Anticorruption Center (CNA) and prosecutors from Bălți, as part of a $40,000 bribery case.
According to the CNA, this detention follows the placement into custody on May 21 of the head of the Central Customs Bureau and a customs broker.
All three individuals are under criminal investigation for aggravated passive corruption. During searches conducted by the CNA and prosecutors, several mobile phones and approximately 1.1 million lei in various currencies were seized from the suspects.
According to authorities, the investigation is ongoing.
The head of the Central Customs Bureau and a customs broker were detained on Wednesday, May 21, by officers of the National Anticorruption Center (CNA) in a passive corruption case. In response, the Customs Service announced its open cooperation with the investigative bodies for the complete clarification of the case. At the same time, it requested transparency in the investigation.
According to preliminary investigation data, the head of the Central Customs Bureau and the broker, along with other individuals, allegedly received over $40,000 in multiple installments. This money was intended to facilitate the passage of goods across the customs border of the Republic of Moldova for imports destined for the Transnistrian segment, as well as to overlook the detection of multiple legislative violations.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
