Systemic corruption at Leușeni customs: Six customs employees investigated by the NAC for systematically demanding illicit remuneration, and one person was detained

The National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) and the Chișinău municipal prosecutors have announced the conduct of several criminal investigation actions at the Leușeni Customs Post, within which acts of systemic corruption committed by customs employees are being investigated. As a result, one person was detained, and 5 other customs officers are being investigated at large.

According to the case materials, public figures at the Leușeni Customs Post, using their official position, allegedly created a criminal scheme to demand and receive undue money from international truck drivers for the smooth completion of customs procedures.

The accumulated materials show that the scheme was continuous, and the alleged funds vary depending on the destination, quantity, volume and value of the goods transported across the state border. As part of the special investigative measures, the illegal actions of six customs officials were documented, and 5 criminal cases were initiated.

Today, to accumulate evidence, under the procedural leadership of the prosecutors of the Chisinau municipality, 20 searches were carried out at the service offices, residences and cars of the aforementioned customs officials, and evidence pertinent to the case under examination was seized. The NAC specifies that the activity of the customs post was not affected.

We remind that any person shall be presumed innocent until a final and irrevocable court decision is rendered.