BUDAPEST: Hungarian prosecutors say 21 customs police officers working at a border crossing with Ukraine have been detained, suspected of regularly taking bribes from foreigner travelers and allowing them to enter or leave the country illegally.
Chief Prosecutor Imre Keresztes said Tuesday in a statement that 30 police officers had been questioned after a raid Monday at the Zahony border crossing, with several admitting responsibility.
A passport control officer had 950 euros ($1,080) in his underwear and prosecutors confiscated several thousand euros and millions of forints during searches of 39 locations, including the border checkpoint building.
Prosecutors said bribes ranged between 20 and 100 euros ($23-$114), with travelers handing the cash to customs police inside their passports. Prosecutors said officers would hide bribes in their underwear.
