ROMANIA - Heads to roll for corruption

Bucharest, Romania (AP):

Romania's prime minister has ordered an investigation of the country's agency responsible for customs following corruption allegations against its chief.

Emil Boc said yesterday he would fire Sorin Blejnar, who heads the tax agency, if accusations that he took bribes are proved. Blejnar denies the accusation.

As part of a corruption crackdown, a customs officer was charged on Friday with receiving about €40,000 (US$55,000) in bribes from a Turkish import-export company.

Prosecutors say Costea admits he took the bribe, but says he gave some of the money to other officials, including Blejnar.

Romanian authorities have recently arrested 180 customs officials and border police, accused of turning a blind eye to cigarette smuggling.