GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP):

Guyana wants to charge high-ranking customs officials with fraud and bribery for their alleged role in a $3-million shipment of beer from Venezuela.

Government spokesman Kwame McKoy says the prosecutor's office is reviewing the request.

Beer as soft drinks

Authorities suspended two customs directors last year as part of an investigation into a scheme that cheated tax collectors of roughly $250,000 by importing beer as soft drinks. They say one officer made $350,000 for looking the other way.

To fight corruption, the government will hire accounting experts to trace the assets of customs officials who make less than $1,000 a month, McCoy said Thursday.

Some own multiple cars and properties.