|
13. February 2003 - Thursday |
Report by agent of British customs and tax service about smuggling of cigarettes and organized crime in Serbia
The problem at all border crossings is a demoralized staff. Serbian borders are extremely porous and smugglers don't have problems to avoid checks. Due to regional smuggling, Serbian budget loses 120 millions of Euros each year. When smuggling of cigarettes is concerned, the minus to the budget is 20 millions. This is written in the report of an agent of British customs and tax service called 'Smuggling of cigarettes and organized crime in Serbia'. This report was made at the initiative of Serbian Police Minister Dusan Mihajlovic. After the report was written, Serbian Prime Minister met with British Ambassador in Belgrade Charles Crawford and requested from him help in fight against smuggling through Serbia.
Recommendations made to Serbian Government include raise of salaries of Customs officers and order to criminal police and BIA to exchange information with appropriate services of Great Britain and European Union. Further recommendations are that border checkpoints at administrative borders with Kosovo and Montenegro are moved closer to border line and that Serbian Government orders all services dealing with this problem to cooperate and not to compete with one another. The Government of Great Britain, in cooperation with OSCE and EU should give recommendations regarding necessary equipment and training. Serbian Government is expected to initiate a campaign of public information that will point out the price and danger that smuggling of cigarettes represents for ordinary citizens.
|
|
|
|
|