Two division heads and an inspector of the National Food Safety Agency were arrested on suspicion that they asked for sums of up to 12,000 lei from economic entities, personally or through intermediaries, for issuing export/import /reexport certificates without examining the fruit and vegetables, IPN reports.

According to the National Anticorruption Center, a number of searches were carried out at the offices, homes and in the vehicles of the suspects. The three are now held in the Center’s remand unit and will stay there for 72 hours.

A criminal case was started against the three over passive corruption. They face five to ten years in jail and a fine of 120,000 to 160,000 lei. They will also be banned for holding public posts or performing particular activities for a period of seven to ten years.