Dealing with tobacco smuggling was at the center of the second working meeting of Europol’s Economic Crime Prosecution / AP SMOKE Section hosted by the Coordinating Operations Center (SEC), under the auspices of AADE, on March 26 and 27, according to ERT.
Representatives of Greek law enforcement authorities, officers of the SEC as well as experts from the EU Member States, the United Kingdom and Ukraine exchanged know-how and best practices, analyzed the new trends of criminal organizations and presented successful operational actions related to tobacco smuggling in the EU. AADE commander, Giorgos Pitsilis, welcomed the meeting, stressing among other things:
“AADE actively contributes to the ongoing fight once morest the illegal production and trade of tobacco products, challenges that can only be faced with the cooperation between states, government institutions and services. We give priority to the fight once morest smuggling and strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of controls.
We have under our auspices the Operational Coordination Center (OCC), an excellent cooperation mechanism with other bodies in the EU Member States and international organizations.
We work closely with national authorities such as the Police and Coast Guard but also with European organizations such as the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Police (EUROPOL). We work tirelessly to ensure that our efforts have a lasting impact on the safety and well-being of citizens.”
The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Citizen Protection Andreas Nikolakopoulos, the Head of the European Financial and Economic Crime Center (EFECC) of EUROPOL Burkhard Mühl, the President of the SEC Panagiotis Koukoulomatis, the Deputy Head of the LS-EL.AKT. Vice Admiral L.S. Tryfon Kontizas, as well as representatives of the private sector who presented the latest developments of the actions and initiatives they undertake in order to help deal with the smuggling of tobacco products.
Source: ERT
Read also:
Life in Roula Pispirigou for Georgina’s murder
European elections: Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Kalavryta on April 2 – From Achaia the start of the pre-election period
Mitsotakis: At 830 euros the minimum wage from April 1st
Earthquake in the Cypriot Gulf: Schools are closed in Ilia, minor damage in Zakynthos – Fire brigade and 6th EMAK of Patras on standby – What do the seismologists say
Colonos: Ilias Michos is guilty of the rape of the 12-year-old girl – The decision for the mother
Instant update with all the news now and via WhatsApp – See here
#working #meeting #tackle #tobacco #smuggling
