Fifteen persons were arrested as a result of searches performed by the National Anticorruption Center at the Sculeni customs post and the Ungheni customs office, IPN reports.
Head of the Center’s Prosecution Division Bogdan Zumbreanu told a press briefing that the investigation into passive corruption among functionaries of the Customs Service was opened at the end of October.
“It was ascertained that these asked and received money from people who crossed the state border for not checking the imported goods and for not verifying the exact value of the merchandise when determining the import duties. As a result, the money that was to be paid as customs duties didn’t reach the state budget,” said Bogdan Zumbreanu.
On December 13, officers of the National Anticorruption Center carried out searches at the homes, offices and in the cars of the 15 persons who were remanded in custody for 72 hours.
The functionaries received 50 lei to €200 bribe, depending on the value and quality of the merchandise.
