Moldovan anticorruption centre detains 30 persons in raids at two customs offices

Chisinau, 1 November /MOLDPRES/ – As a result of today raids, carried out by officers from the National Anticorruption Centre Council (CNA) at customs posts Leuseni and Sculeni, there were detained 30 people who appear in a corruption case.

CNA chief of the prosecution Bogdan Zumbreanu stated in a press conference that about fourteen customs officers, three border policemen, six economic operators and seven drivers of buses who make international voyages.

"The criminal case was initiated in January current year, on account of false public documents, abuse of power, transgressions of service duties and taking and giving bribes. They were documented illegal actions concerning the fraudulent use of inter-bus cards by passenger transporters abroad. Detainees are accused of falsifying data in books, using a single card inter-bus by several buses and presentation of business cards from abroad other than those presented by Moldovan authorities. Customs officers perceived money from 20 – 650 euros from bus drivers not to document these violations," said Zumbreanu.

The operation began at 06.00 in the morning. The police conducted searches in 44 buildings, 8 in cars and 15 in buses. All people were detained for 72 hours and some have begun to cooperate with the investigative body. Prosecutors will submit to the court warrants remand for 30 days.

Detainees are at risk of imprisonment up to 10 years, depending on the degree of involvement of each accused and the damage caused by him.

Consequent the raids, Customs Service announced initiation of two internal investigation to establish all the circumstances of alleged illegalities.

Also, at the request of the investigative assistance, it was disbursed the assistance of the Internal Security Department, a subdivision of the Customs Service which is responsible for examining cases of misbehaviour and excess of duties among employees.

On 30 September 2016, another 28 customs officers were detained in a similar operation at Tudora and Palanca border crossings.

(Reporter P. Beregoi, editor M. Jantovan)