Vasile Tofan discusses customs experiences and monitoring procurement

Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan shared a personal anecdote during a ceremony for the 35th anniversary of the Customs Service. He recounted an incident from his time as a student in the Netherlands, where he attempted to sell two cartons of cigarettes online to earn extra money. He noted that customs officials visited him but, recognizing he was a struggling student rather than a professional smuggler, did not issue a fine. Tofan used the story to emphasize that public control services should focus on high-risk areas and major abuses rather than being overly rigid regarding minor errors.

Separately, the National Probation Inspectorate (INP) has denied allegations of favoritism regarding the procurement of electronic monitoring equipment. The institution addressed claims that a specific company, FPC Infoexpress SRL, was repeatedly favored. The INP stated that several tender processes between 2024 and 2025 were canceled because bidders failed to meet qualification requirements or because there were no participants. The Prime Minister has indicated plans to double the budget for monitoring bracelets to better protect victims of aggression.