Ghelici warns of rise in contraband at border with Romania

“Smuggling is thriving at the border with Romania”, businessman Fiodor Ghelici told a news conference on Monday, Info-Prim Neo reports. Fiodor Ghelici, who chairs an association of importers, cited a tip-off to inform the public about the frequent practice of the Moldovan customs officials to inactivate ASYCUDA World – a global system to control the clearance of cargo consignments. “No one knows the reasons and the responsible persons”, said Ghelici. According to information presented by Ghelici, in the period from January to May the system was put on standby not so often and only during daytime, but starting from June the suspension of Asycuda's server has become a systematic practice and used during nighttime as well. “From January 1 to October 11, this system was turned off about 60 times. The duration of the suspensions ranged from 5-7 minutes to 4 hours”, said Ghelici. According to the businessman, while the server is on sleeping mode cargo consignments pass the Moldovan border without clearance and duties. “According to a customs official, whom I'll refrain from naming, the Moldo-Romanian border has been in an unprecedented, indescribable disorder”, said Ghelici. Fiodor Ghelici stated that he notified Moldova's acting President Mihai Ghimpu of the tip-off, requesting prompt intervention.