Session 6 Comments: Challenges in implementing the Protocol Panama City, Panama July 2012 John W. Colledge III Consultant Supervisory Criminal Investigator (Retired) U.S. Customs Service Department of Homeland Security
Legislation and enforcement Criminal offenses defining illicit trade meeting UNTOC definition of transnational organized crime. Money laundering and proceeds of crimes legislation -- including asset forfeiture fund. Technical surveillance, undercover, inspections and audit legal authorities. Lead agency with police powers, training, staffing and financial resources. Prosecutors, trained and dedicated to organized crime offenses. Tracking and tracing system. Trade data analysis. Criminal forensic support -- crime laboratory.
Tax stamp or code? Tax stamp Paper or other material Encrypted Public recognition Anti-counterfeit features Applied at manufacturer Manufacturing, imported and exported products Code Ink jet applied Encrypted Applied at manufacturer Manufactured and exported products
More than a stamp or code Revenue collection tool. Monitoring collections. Inspections. Manufacturing. Sales. Imports. Exports. Revenue protection tool. Inspections. Audits. Criminal Investigations. Trade data analysis. Revenue analysis tool. Taxes and duties projected. Taxes and duties collected. Portal to other government data systems.
What Tracking and Tracing System Does My Country Need? Government controlled system free of the tobacco industry. A system that is based upon the needs of revenue (including customs), police and prosecutors. System that integrates other taxed products such as alcoholic and other beverages. Needs – based upon tobacco manufacturing, free zones, imports, exports and illicit trade. Costs – passed to the tobacco industry or public, external financing, funding arrangements with security system vendors.
Addressing Illegal Manufacturing Counterfeit – trademark infringement. Unlicensed manufacturing. Over-production.
NLETS – A Possible Solution for the Global Information Sharing Focal Point National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System. (nlets.org) Not a database. Switching interface for law enforcement agencies in the United States and Canada. Linked to arrest warrants, missing persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, driver’s license data, automated criminal histories and more. Linked to INTERPOL notices.
“Key Inputs” and Trade Data Analysis Harmonized schedule. Paper-wrapped cigarettes. Cigarette paper. Acetate filter tow. Tobacco. Trade anomalies. Trade-based money laundering.
Summary Appropriate legislation and regulation. Anti-money laundering and proceeds confiscation. Appropriate law enforcement agency and prosecutors. Criminal investigative needs differ from revenue collection needs. Tracking and tracing, is only one component of a viable enforcement program. Scientific investigations and trade data analysis are important in support of illicit trade investigations. There is a large volume of misinformation and false information related to illicit trade.
John W. Colledge III