Customs post chief caught taking a $5,000 bribe (video)

In Fergana Region, the head of a border customs post was detained for demanding $5,000 in exchange for allowing 80 mobile phones to be transported across the border without inspection or customs duties. UzA reported this.

According to the report, the suspect, a native of Balikchi District in Andijan Region and head of one of the border customs posts in Fergana Region, had previously told an individual who had attempted to illegally cross the border several times that transporting mobile phones from Kyrgyzstan could be highly profitable. He offered his assistance in return for material gain.

Following a complaint filed by the citizen with the Fergana Regional Department of the State Security Service, a special оператив measure was carried out. It was established that the official demanded $5,000 and one mobile phone as a “gift” from the owner of the goods in exchange for allowing 80 mobile phones, brought into the country in two cargo trucks from a neighboring state, to pass through the border without any inspection or customs payments.

During the operation, the suspect was caught red-handed while receiving the demanded money and a mobile phone in the Mindanobod neighborhood of Fergana District. The items were seized as material evidence.

The case was examined by the Kuva District Criminal Court. By the court’s verdict, the defendant was found guilty under Article 210, Part 1 of the Criminal Code (accepting a bribe). He was sentenced to four years of imprisonment and banned for three years from holding positions involving managerial or financial responsibility within the Customs Committee system and state-owned or state-affiliated enterprises, institutions, and organizations. The sentence is to be served in a settlement-type correctional colony.

Earlier, a preventive inspector in Pastdargom District of Samarkand Region was sentenced to three years, 11 months, and one day of restriction of liberty after being caught taking a bribe.