Nineteen Spanish custom officers at Spain's Malaga airport have been arrested for extorting money from non-European Union passengers, especially Chinese travelers.Five of the officers have been jailed and 14 have been granted conditional release.
Passengers reported the extortion and bribes to the Civil Guard in Malaga last week. Chinese travelers were targeted and charged up to 50 euros to be allowed to pass customs, when excess food, tobacco, alcohol or other prohibited products were found in their luggage.
Local media report that Gregorio Laso Mostoles, Press Counselor at the Spanish Embassy in Beijing, said Chinese passengers should have reported any unfair or illegal treatment to the local authorities to stop such corruption earlier.
