The law enforcement agencies of Romania arrested four employees of the Sculeni Customs Office and four police officers of the Borș Border Police Sector as a result of searches conducted on January 17 at customs posts on both sides of the Moldovan-Romanian border. No arrests were made in the Republic of Moldova.

“No persons were arrested following searches carried out in concert with officers of the Internal Protection and Anticorruption Service of the Ministry of the Interior, at customs posts on both sides of the Moldova-Romanian border,” the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office said in a response provided to IPN.

According to the National Anticorruption Directorate of Romania, the Iasi Local Service, in coordination with the judicial authorities of the Republic of Moldova, conducted investigations in a criminal case started over suspected corruption offenses. The illegalities were allegedly committed at border crossing points during July 2021 – September 2022. In Romania, searches were carried out at 31 locations in Iasi, Vaslui, Botosani, Galati, Neamt and Bihor Counties. Five of these are border crossing points, while the rest are domiciles of private individuals.

Besides the eight arrested persons, 15 police and customs officers were placed under judicial control. They are suspected of asking and receiving €20 to €250 bribe from persons who transported goods or passengers from Moldova to EU countries and vice versa.

In Moldova, 14 border police officers and 11 customs officers are under investigation. They are suspected of taking €100 to €900 bribe. About 20 searches were performed on Tuesday at the homes and offices of employees of the General Border Police Inspectorate and the Customs Service.