Brussels, 01/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - The customs operation “Diabolo II” co-ordinated by the European Commission and European Anti- Fraud Office (OLAF) in the framework of ASEM (Asia-Europa meeting) has just achieved a great success. More than 65 million counterfeit cigarettes, as well as 369,000 other counterfeit articles (shoes, toys, cameras, recorders, hats, caps, gloves and handbags) have been seized. These results were announced during a de-briefing meeting in Tokyo on 29 January. Other international investigations involving criminal activities were opened following this operation, which revealed a link between these activities and cigarette smuggling.
ASEM includes 45 European and Asian partner countries and this is not its first success. In 2007, the Diabolo I operation was also successful, thanks to the efficiency of this customs administration cooperation forum. In connection with Diabolo II, success was due to the efficient work and perfect cooperation between customs officials from 13 Asian countries and the 27 member states of the EU.
Siim Kallas, the vice president of the European Commission in charge of administration, auditing and fighting fraud, declared in a press release that the success of this joint operation clearly illustrates the importance of all partners cooperating closely in an effort to fight the global trade in counterfeit goods and protect legitimate trade in authentic goods. (V.L.B./transl.fl)