Republic of Moldova

EUBAM helps agencies build expertise in fight against cigarette smuggling

18 - 20 January 2011 - On January 18 and 20, over 50 Moldovan and Ukrainian customs and border guard officers received training on cigarette anti-smuggling techniques at BCPs (Border Crossing Points) in Tudora (Moldova) and Starokozache (Ukraine). The training was delivered by Galentin Georgiev, a police analyst from the Analytical and Operational Support Unit of EUBAM, with the assistance of Svitlana Prishchenko from EUBAM’s Capacity Building Unit.

“Smuggling of cigarettes creates significant threats for the budgets of EU member states, so the EU devotes special attention to counteracting it,” said Mr Georgiev. “EU law enforcement agencies have gained a wide experience in fighting tobacco smuggling, and we are happy to share these lessons with our Ukrainian and Moldovan colleagues.”
The training was organised following a request made by EUBAM’s partners, the customs and border guard services of Moldova and Ukraine. Since a recent appreciation in excise taxes on cigarettes introduced by the Ukraine government, authorities have observed a corresponding increase in cigarette smuggling across the Moldova-Ukraine border. Criminal elements have taken advantage of lower prices for cigarettes in Moldova and the increased profits now to be made from black market sales in Ukraine following the tax hike.

During the training, border guard and customs officers who work at BCPs learned about the extent and nature of cigarette smuggling in Eastern Europe, EU best practices in tackling such phenomena, concealment methods, and techniques in recognition of counterfeit products. The training was part of EUBAM’s ‘exemplary border crossing point’ pilot project, which aims to create two ‘islands of integrity’ along the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, and support regional anti-corruption initiatives.