Customs shift leader arrested for substantial bribery at Red Bridge border crossing

Officers from the Investigative Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia, in coordination with the Prosecutor’s Office and the Revenue Service, have arrested a shift leader from the Customs Department of the Revenue Service at the Red Bridge border crossing for accepting a substantial bribe.

The investigation revealed that the accused, while performing his official duties, promised a citizen that he would facilitate the smuggling of USD 200,000 into the country without the mandatory customs declaration. In exchange for this protection, the public official demanded a USD 8,000 bribe for each instance.

Investigative Service officers apprehended the suspect immediately after he accepted USD 4,000, which constituted a portion of the upfront payment he had demanded.

Covert investigative operations, authorised by a court warrant, yielded audio and video evidence documenting the criminal activity.

The investigation is being conducted under Article 338, Part 2, Subparagraph “b” of the Criminal Code of Georgia (Bribery on a Large Scale), which carries a prison sentence of 7 to 11 years upon conviction.

The Investigative Service of the Ministry of Finance strongly urges public officials and individuals attempting to engage in corrupt or illicit arrangements to refrain from such illegal acts. The response from law enforcement agencies to any such incidents will be immediate and rigorously enforced to the full extent of the law.