MORE THAN 30 CUSTOMS OFFICERS ARRESTED AT LESOVO BORDER CHECK POINT

More than 30 customs officers were arrested at Lesovo checkpoint on 2nd of November. The customs officers allegedly had been acting as an organised crime group, demanding and receiving bribes.

The operation took place two years to the day on which two shifts of customs officers were arrested for corruption during a similar operation.

According to the manager of the specialized operation, the customs officials had a new scheme. He explained that the money from the bribes was allocated on a daily basis. Everyone who took bribes during the day handed the received amounts of money, which was then allocated by the manager on shift.

Drivers say that not only at Lesovo, but there are “fixed charges” for crossing the border at other check points as well.

The detained customs officers denied taking bribes, saying it was no possible as there were cameras everywhere.