Moldova detains seven in Giurgiulesti port food safety bribery probe
Moldovan anticorruption officers detained six food safety inspectors and a business operator after uncovering a systemic bribery scheme at the Giurgiulești Danube port on the European Union border.
Wiretaps expose fixed-rate transit bribes
Prosecutors and officers from Moldova's National Anticorruption Center (CNA) carried out 24 raids across the suspects' homes, offices, and vehicles. Investigators allege that inspectors from the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) stationed at the Giurgiulești border inspection post extorted up to €1,500 (30,000 MDL) per shipment. In exchange for the illicit payments, officials allowed livestock and commercial goods to transit without mandatory health and quality certificates.
According to evidence gathered across multiple corruption probes, inspectors negotiated the bribes directly with transport operators. Illicit fees varied based on cargo volume, the number of declared animals, and transit frequency at Moldova's sole maritime-river port. Strengthening border oversight and eradicating customs graft remain core requirements under Cluster 1 of Moldova's EU accession negotiations.
Audio wiretaps released by the CNA capture one inspector explaining a fixed tariff system to a female commuter. “Without a certificate, the price is €20,” the official said in the recording. “We let you pass—you are not the only one, as we take €20 from everyone, and since there are three of you, that makes a lot.”
Bargaining in dollars and euros at the border
When the woman asked how much the bribe would cost in US dollars, the inspector replied that the currency made no difference: “It is the same thing.” She then asked for a discount because she only carried $50 and $100 bills, a proposal the official accepted.
In a separate documented incident, another ANSA inspector demanded €50 (1,000 MDL) to clear the cross-border transit of 11 puppies. The commercial operator asked to lower the payment to €25, noting that the transport still had to cross three additional customs checkpoints. The two sides eventually settled on €30, with the inspector concluding: “Neither for you, nor for me.”
All seven suspects—six public servants and one business representative—remain in pre-trial detention while prosecutors work to identify other implicated officials and companies. Shortly after the CNA announcement, ANSA stated that it treats the allegations with utmost seriousness and has launched an internal review to address vulnerabilities in border inspection procedures. “ANSA reaffirms its commitment to integrity and zero tolerance for corruption, and will provide full support to the CNA and prosecutors to help clarify the case,” the agency said in a statement.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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