Beirut port fraud details disclosed

Beirut chief investigative magistrate Said Mirza revealed the details behind the forgery of 21 customs declaration and the embezzlement of money, which caused a substantial loss of revenue for the state treasury.

Mirza interrogated six customs agents accused of forgery, receiving bribes and abusing their public function, and uncovered the operation behind inspecting imported goods. The investigation discovered how perpetrators broke into the customs computer and committed the forgery.

Customs inspectors allegedly embezzled money by underpricing imported goods to be inspected, reducing duties paid by importers and pocketing bribes, thus diverting potential revenues from the state treasury. Mirza will subpoena a number of traders for questioning today and is expected to transfer all documents to the public prosecutor at the appellate court, Abdullah Bitar, upon completing this investigation.