Interpol praises Belarus' contribution to joint projects

MINSK (BelTA) – Interpol's first conference on counteracting the illegal turnover of tobacco products will take place in Minsk on 17-19 June, representatives of the Information and Public Relations Office of the Belarusian Interior Ministry.

According to the source, Interpol's General Secretariat highly appreciated the contribution of Belarusian law enforcement bodies to the Black Poseidon operation and to other projects. This is why Minsk has been chosen to host the conference.

During the conference a seminar will be held for participants of the 3rd stage of the international operation meant to prevent the spread of counterfeited products Black Poseidon. The Interior Ministry reminded that the first stage took place in Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, and Belarus in 2012. Over 7.3 million units of counterfeited products were seized, with about 1,400 people facing administrative and criminal charges. Belarusian law enforcement agencies seized commodities worth about €326,000, including tobacco products, food, apparel and accessories, automobile parts, compact disks. During the second stage of the operation in 2013 the approximate value of counterfeited products seized in Belarus reached €565,000.

The conference will gather representatives of law enforcement agencies from 28 countries, competent experts of the General Secretariat of Interpol, Europol, and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). The Belarusian side will be represented by officers of the Economic Crimes Police Department of the Interior Ministry and the national office of Interpol. Participants of the conference are expected to discuss the new ways used by international crime groups to transport counterfeited tobacco products. Ways to improve practical interaction between law enforcement agencies, the General Secretariat of Interpol, and other international organizations will also be discussed.