Customs authority scrutinizes multiple violations in the hospitality industry

Customs Office Main Inspections in Muenster under Anti-Bribery and Corruption Act...

, and Administrator

2025 September 13 . 6:12 PM

1 min read

Customs Authority probes multiple violations in the food service industry under scrutiny

Customs authority scrutinizes multiple violations in the hospitality industry

On August 31, 2025, the Main Customs Office Münster carried out inspections under the Anti-Bribery Act in catering establishments and a taxi company in the district of Borken. The joint operation involved nine customs officers, three employees from the Foreigners' Office, and two officers from the Borken District Police Authority.

The inspections, aimed at protecting honest businesses from prohibited practices by their competitors, uncovered a series of violations across several establishments. In one of the first inspections, a 68-year-old employee was found to not have a valid residence permit, leading to investigations against her and her employer.

In another restaurant, a man without a residence permit was discovered, along with two employees not registered for social security and another employee not receiving the minimum wage. Investigations were initiated in this case as well.

Furthermore, in a third establishment, employees were found to be working without being registered for social security. Additionally, two employees did not have their ID with them, which is against regulations for the catering industry. Investigations are pending in this instance.

However, an employee in one of the establishments refused to answer questions from the customs office, leading to an administrative offence procedure.

Goswin Brehe, head of the Financial Control Black Economy at the Main Customs Office Münster, expressed concern about the number of violations discovered in a single evening. Despite this, the identity of the head of the Financial Control for the Black Market at the Main Customs Office Münster who uncovered these violations remains unknown.

For further questions, please contact Verena John at the Main Customs Office Münster. She can be reached at telephone: 0251/4814-1306, via email at [email protected], or on the website www.zoll.de.