Anticorruption Center discovers smuggling schemes involving customs officers

Operations carried out by the Anticorruption Center (CCCEC) starting this May have revealed some smuggling schemes facilitated by customs officers, CCCEC director Sergiu Puscuta told a news conference today. According to him, the smugglers used different illegal methods, like bringing goods into the country by eluding customs control, stating a lower value of the imported good or stating another kind of good than the one actually imported. “Though the Center has not yet finished investigating all those schemes, 12 officers in different positions have already been sacked from service, while two have been formally accused of direct involvement and of active participation in covering smuggling cases, which have brought damage of 5 million lei to the state budget thus far. I believe the figure will rise as new aspects of these schemes are investigated”, said Puscuta. Detailing, Puscuta offered the example of a Renault truck loaded with 20 tonnes of frozen beef heart valued at 217,000 lei, which crossed the border, dodging customs and thus paying no import duties. Reportedly, two customs officers facilitated the pass. The truck was later seized at a depot in Chisinau and the persons who ordered the meat were identified. It is believed that those behind the scheme intended to legalize the smuggled beef heart with the help of a ghost firm. If found guilty by court, the two officers could serve from 3 to 19 years in prison.