Romanian Anticorruption Prosecutors Indict 69 Customs Workers

05.05.2011 By Gavrila Oana

Romanian anticorruption prosecutors Thursday have indicted 69 customs workers and border police officers from three customs points in western Romania, accused of taking bribes of over EUR82,000 to turn a blind eye on cigarette smuggling from neighboring Serbia.

Of the 69 customs workers and border police officers from the border crossing points in Moravita, Foeni and Deta in Timis county who were indicted Thursday, 38 are under preventive arrest.

According to prosecutors, the customs workers and border police officers solicited and received bribe to allow the trafficking of cigarettes worth EUR3.3 million from Serbia.

Romanian authorities in February conducted ample raids through customs points to crack down on corruption and contraband and arrested about 200 people in the process.