CNA conducts searches at Leușeni customs: one detained, five employees under investigation
The National Anticorruption Center (CNA) announced that one individual was detained following searches conducted this morning at the Leușeni customs post. Criminal proceedings are currently underway against five other Customs Service employees. According to a press release from the CNA, the anticorruption officers' intervention did not disrupt the customs post's operations.
According to the case materials, civil servants at the customs post allegedly demanded and received unauthorized payments from international race drivers to ensure the smooth processing of customs procedures. The amount of money requested varied based on factors such as the destination, quantity, volume, and value of the goods being transported across the state border.
The National Anti-Corruption Center (CNA) indicates that this scheme was ongoing, and to date, five criminal cases have been initiated. To gather evidence and document the facts, 20 searches were conducted at the offices, homes, and vehicles of the officials involved.
CNA searches at Leușeni customs in a corruption case. Several customs officers are targeted
Officers of the National Anticorruption Center are conducting searches at the Leușeni customs post this morning. According to preliminary information, several employees of the Customs Service are targeted in a corruption case.
The information was confirmed for Moldova 1 TV by CNA spokesperson Angela Starinschi.
On May 21, the head of the Central Customs Bureau, a customs broker, and the head of the Căușeni Internal Customs Post were detained by officers from the National Anticorruption Center (CNA) as part of a passive corruption investigation. They are accused of demanding and receiving over $40,000 in several instalments. This money was allegedly offered to facilitate the import of goods intended for the Transnistrian region, while avoiding detection of legal irregularities.
In this case, two of the three defendants were placed in preventive arrest, while the third was placed under house arrest. During searches, investigators seized mobile phones and cash in various currencies, totalling approximately 1.1 million lei, from the suspects.
The Customs Service publicly condemned the actions under investigation and announced its commitment to collaborate with the investigative institutions. They emphasized that maintaining integrity remains a priority for the organization. The investigation is ongoing.
