Operation Crystal in Romania: EUR 2 mln worth of fines and seized goods in one week

Romanian antifraud inspectors started on October 19 a major operation that focuses on controlling and monitoring the activity in wholesale centers in Romania. In one week (October 19-25), the inspectors checked 21 wholesale centers across the country, and issued fines and seized goods and cash worth about EUR 2 million, according to a statement of the tax agency ANAF. During the first week of the operation, which is nicknamed Crystal (Cristal), the antifraud inspectors checked more than 1,200 firms and issued fines of some RON 7 million (around EUR 1.5 million) for irregularities. They also seized goods and cash worth some RON 2 million (over EUR 450,000). Some 13 taxpayers had to suspend their activity because they didn't have cash registers while 123 stopped their activity. Also, 170 taxpayers went to the Fiscal Antifraud Department's headquarters for more thorough checks. Among the goods seized by the inspectors, there were 78,800 kg of fruits and vegetables, and almost 59,000 liters of alcoholic beverages. Operation Crystal targets a total of 60 wholesale centers in Romania. The inspectors chose to check 15 centers in the first round, but later decided to add six more to the list. The operation will be carried out daily until December 25. Depending on the results, the operation will be resumed in early-2016. Operation Crystal: Tax authority starts checking large wholesale centers in Romania. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com