The General Directorate of Customs announced a 66% increase in undeclared cash cases attempted to be brought across the border in 2023 compared to the previous year.
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| Central customs offices in Tirana |
The publication of the green book by this institution also provides details on this aspect of anti-trafficking.
Specifically, according to Customs, during 2023, 73 cases of non-declaration of monetary values at the border were detected (44 cases on entry and 29 cases on exit), with an increase in captures compared to 37 cases in 2022 (28 cases on entry and 9 cases on exit).
Customs branches where the most frequent cases have been detected are Rinasi, Durres, Kakavija, and Morina.
In addition to the number of cases, there is also an increase in the total amount attempted to be passed without declaration, where in euros, according to the data, it was over 2 million euros in 2023 or 36% more than in 2022. In pounds, a sum of 452 thousand was captured, or 63% higher than the previous year.
Meanwhile, Customs also report amounts captured in dollars, approximately 166 thousand, and in Swiss francs over 47 thousand. In 2022, there were no cases of attempted passage captured at the customs border points for these currencies.
"In the framework of preventing money laundering and financing terrorism in the customs system, based on indicators of suspicious activity, during 2023, 19 SARs were sent to the Financial Intelligence Agency for further investigation," the publication said.
Customs also emphasize that in cooperation with international partners, 8 operations have been carried out in customs border branches, of which 6 operations organized by EU4FOCAL "Action Days," in cooperation with the Guardia di Finanza and the Border Police Department; 1 regional operation "CLAUDIUS II" organized by HMRC in cooperation with regional customs administrations; 1 operation "DEMETER IX" organized by ËCO-OBD, Monitor reports.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Trafficking Operational Groups during 2023 conducted a total of 1840 checks at various customs border branches, which resulted in the seizure of undeclared cash. In cases where goods of a commercial nature were detected, they were referred to customs branches for further procedures.
"The Passenger Information Unit ALPIU, through the ATSG system, has targeted 794 individuals for the purpose of controlling and preventing illegal activities that may occur through the crossing of the state border of the Republic of Albania," the document states.