Two officials from the Balti General Directorate for Food Safety of the National Agency for Food Safety (NAFS), as well as two economic agents, are being investigated by the NAC and anti-corruption prosecutors in a number of criminal cases for passive and active corruption. They are suspected of extorting money from economic agents to issue them veterinary certificates and other documents necessary for marketing food products.

According to the materials of the case, two employees of the Balti GDFS allegedly claimed, accepted and received from different natural persons and economic agents cash and food products to issue them veterinary certificates, authorization to operate and certificates for registration food safety. Also, they allegedly received bribe to make veterinary expertise, checks, to issue pet passports, without carrying out the necessary checks.

The officers from the General Territorial Directorate North of the NAC carried out 15 searches today at the domiciles, cars and offices of the suspects. Four persons, including two economic agents and two officials from the Balti GDFS, are being investigated at large for passive and active corruption. If found guilty, they risk up to 10 years in prison, a criminal fine of up to 400 000 lei and deprivation of the right to hold office from 7 to 10 years.

The North Office of the Anticorruption Prosecution is conducting the criminal investigation.

We remind, that every person is presumed to be innocent until the final and irrevocable decision of the court is pronounced.