PHOTO // Tudora customs office of Moldova equipped with a state-of-the-art mobile scanner; director of Customs Service says move direct investment in border security, resilience

The Tudora border customs office today was equipped with a state-of-the-art mobile scanner meant for non-intrusive inspection of transport vehicles. The equipment was co-financed by the Government of the United States of America and the government of Moldova.

The new scanning system has an operational capacity that strengthens border protection, supports the fight against illicit trafficking and addresses security needs in a regional context marked by challenges triggered by the war in Ukraine.

At the event on the inauguration of the mobile scanner, Customs Service Director Radu Vrabie emphasized that equipping with high-performance scanning technology represented a direct investment in the security of Moldova and in the resilience of its borders.

"The efficiency of non-intrusive control is crucial for detecting risks and hidden goods, as well as for streamlining legal trade, in a necessary balance between crime prevention and the facilitation of commercial exchanges. Through this state-of-the-art technological equipment, Moldova takes a firm step towards aligning with international customs control standards, strengthening border security, increasing operational capabilities and facilitating legal international trade. We thank international partners for their constant support, which contributes to the modernization of the Customs Service," Radu Vrabie said.

The event brought together representatives from the U.S. Embassy, Rapiscan Systems Inc., and national authorities, followed by a display of the scanner's functionalities and a presentation of the activities at the Tudora customs office. The deployment of this advanced system takes place after a complex process carried out between 2023 and 2025, which included international selection procedures, technical checks at the manufacturer, on-site installation and testing, as well as training of customs officers.

The Rapiscan Eagle M-60 mobile scanner has a penetration capacity of over 330 mm of steel, can scan up to 50 vehicles per hour, and generates high-quality images with color differentiation for efficient risk detection. The acquisition was carried out through co-financing: 50 per cent on behalf of USAID MISRA Programme resources and 50 per cent from the state budget of Moldova, with the total negotiated value being 2,930,873 dollars for the equipment, maintenance and training.