A customs inspector accepted a bribe in Dragoman from a trader of metals from China, processed in Turkey, on November 13, announced a briefing at the Sofia District Prosecutor's Office, acting Sofia District Prosecutor Natalia Nikolova.
"The trader appeared with the aim of releasing the goods without customs inspection, for which he gave about 1,000 leva as a bribe to the customs inspector. The aim was to process the documents quickly, without delay and without performing a physical inspection, without performing samples of the metals being transported. After the trader left the customs office, officers of the Customs Inspectorate entered the customs office and carried out searches and seizures. The amount of 960 leva was found in the front pocket of the customs officer's trousers and the amount of 500 leva in another pocket of his trousers.
11 searches and seizures of both office premises and homes and cars followed, as well as personal searches of individuals. Over 110,000 leva were found in the customs inspector's home, of which 50,000 euros. During another search, various notes were found certifying the goods, as well as commemorative coins, which were seized. Witnesses were questioned, including before the court. A charge was brought for requesting and accepting a gift in order to omit official actions - not to perform a customs inspection and not to take samples of the cargo. He was ordered to be "detained" until he was brought before the court. "During the course of the court proceedings, a measure of house arrest was adopted for the customs inspector due to the deteriorating condition of his father, whom he must take care of," said Prosecutor Nikolova.