site.bta33 Customs Officers Arrested in Crackdown on Corruption

33 Customs Officers Arrested in Crackdown on Corruption

Haskovo, Southern Bulgaria, December 13 (BTA) - Thirty-three customs officers at Kapitan Andreevo border crossing were arrested on Sunday in an operation against corruption, the prosecution authorities said.

They took bribes to forgo extensive checks of cars, trucks and buses.In interviews many witnessestestified to the illegal activities of the customs officers.

The operation has been conducted by the prosecution authorities, the State Agency for National Security, the Directorate General for Combatting Organized Crime and the police in Haskovo.

The law enforcers carried out over 100 searches of homes, vehicles, business offices and the suspects and confiscated various amounts of money totalling some 100,000 leva.

The investigation is ongoing.