Munich customs rocked by huge corruption scandal
State prosecutors in Munich have raided the offices of several customs and transport authorities and are investigating 24 people suspected of tax evasion, fraud, forgery and corruption.
More than 400 officers searched a total of 83 apartments, offices, vehicles and a customs office on Tuesday in one of the largest investigations targeting the southern German city’s customs and transport officials. Investigators have arrested nine people so far.
Several customs officials are suspected of expediting export application approvals without examining the goods in return for cash, according to the official investigation. Transport officials are also suspected of forging documents.
"Customs officials are suspected of having illegally accepted and confirmed export applications without checking the goods," a statement from the state prosecutor’s office said, adding that the probe currently focused on a total of 24 suspects.
The catalogue of crimes that customs and travel officials are accused of is long. It includes violating the country’s foreign trade law, corruption, tax evasion, fraud and forgery.
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More than 400 officers searched a total of 83 apartments, offices, vehicles and a customs office on Tuesday in one of the largest investigations targeting the southern German city’s customs and transport officials. Investigators have arrested nine people so far.
Several customs officials are suspected of expediting export application approvals without examining the goods in return for cash, according to the official investigation. Transport officials are also suspected of forging documents.
"Customs officials are suspected of having illegally accepted and confirmed export applications without checking the goods," a statement from the state prosecutor’s office said, adding that the probe currently focused on a total of 24 suspects.
The catalogue of crimes that customs and travel officials are accused of is long. It includes violating the country’s foreign trade law, corruption, tax evasion, fraud and forgery.
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