RESULTS FROM THE SEVENTH JOINT OPERATION AGAINST SMUGGLING OF EXCISABLE GOODS

The seventh joint operation carried out by the Ministry of Finance (the Bulgarian Customs Agency and the National Revenue Agency), with the assistance of Crown Agents and in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior Chief Directorate for Combating Organised Crime, ended. The results of the exercise show that the number of attempts for smuggling of excisable goods through the “Kulata” and the “Kapitan Andreevo” border checkpoints has started to decrease.

During the operation, the Mobile Assurance Teams of the BCA and teams of the National Revenue Agency made round-the-clock examinations of the people and vehicles crossing the border and invigilated the duty-free shops there. The turnovers of the duty-free shops continued to decrease significantly.

“KULATA” BORDER CHECKPOINT

Violations of the customs regime were detected in 8.16% of the challenges of travellers passing through the “Kulata” border checkpoint. Compared to the previous exercise at this border crossing in February 2006, when the hit rate was 21.84%, the data shows that the number of attempts for smuggling of excisable goods has decreased significantly. A total of 21 240 pieces of cigarettes were confiscated.

During the week, when the operation was carried out, the average turnover of the 3 duty-free shops located on the outward lane of the “Kulata” border checkpoint has decreased by around 40% compared to the figures for the last one month.

“KAPITAN ANDREEVO” BORDER CHECKPOINT

Violations of the customs regime were detected in 57.69% of the challenges of travellers passing through the “Kapitan Andreevo” border checkpoint. Compared to the previous exercise at this border crossing in April 2006, when the hit rate was 63.19%, the data shows that the number of attempts for smuggling of excisable goods has started to decrease but still remains high. A total of 189 860 pieces of cigarettes were confiscated.

During the week, when the operation was carried out, the average turnover of the 6 duty-free shops at the “Kapitan Andreevo” border checkpoint has decreased by around 34% compared to the figures for the last one month. The sales of the three premises located on the inward lane of the border crossing have decreased by 36.86%. The average turnover of the other three duty-free shops at the outward lane has decreased by 32.26%.


PRESS CENTRE
Bulgarian Ministry of Finance