Awwal 22, 1432 H/Feb 25, 2011, SPA -- Romanian prosecutors say a customs chief has been arrested after he was allegedly caught taking a ¤2,400 ($3,300) bribe, according to AP. Anti-corruption prosecutors say Cornel Costea from the southern city of Ploiesti received the money from a Turkish import-export company. They said Friday that Costea had received about ¤40,000 ($55,000) from the company since November, in exchange for not checking the firm's trucks. It wasn't immediately what type of goods the trucks were carrying. A court in Bucharest ruled Costea will be placed under arrest for 29 days pending trial. Recently Romanian authorities launched a crackdown on customs officials and border police, accused of turning a blind eye to cigarette smuggling. About 180 people have been arrested.
