MOSCOW, December 5 - RAPSI. Investigators have brought charges against a customs officer of Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, who allegedly took a $41,000 bribe from a businessman, the Interior Ministry reported on Monday.

Investigators uncovered that the customs officer looked into the smuggling case in which the businessman and his company were involved.

The officer claimed $30,000 and 350,000 rubles ($11,400) found during a search at the company's office, otherwise he threatened to put the businessman into jail.
Later customs officers claimed another $200,000 from the businessman promising to close the criminal case against him.

The customs officers and two their accomplices were detained after the businessman went to police.

Investigators opened a criminal case against customs officers for bribery, complicity to bribery and attempted bribery. The officers were arrested, while their accomplices were released on their own recognizance. The suspects are facing up to 15 years in prison.