General Directorate of Customs Administration and
General Directorate of State Police in Albania sign
Memorandum to enhance Inter-agency Cooperation
January 13, 2015 – Tirana – The Albanian General Director of Customs Administration
and the General Director of State Police signed today at the premises of the Customs
Administration a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) calling for closer cooperation
between the two agencies in the functioning of the Joint Container Control Unit operating
at Durres Port.
Both agencies play an important role in hindering illicit trafficking of narcotics, arms,
smuggled goods and any other contraband through containers for the benefit of the
Albanian economy and security. The MOU will assist the two in carrying out their
important roles within the Joint Container Control Team by promoting the benefits of,
and, encouraging mutual cooperation within the team and wider.
As stated by the General Director of Customs, the signing of the MOU, which also
incorporates the Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs), will help enhance the
commercial success of the Albanian Customs Administration and increase legitimate
trade.
The Joint Container Control Team is established through the assistance of the UNODCWCO Global Container Control Programme and consists of six officers from customs
and police.
The signing of the MOU will also reinforce UNODC-WCO already strong working
relationships with both agencies and will allow them the opportunity to collaborate on
profiling and criminal intelligence exchange in order to better serve Albania and the
region.
The signing of the Inter-agency MOU coincided with celebration of the 102nd
Anniversary of the Establishment of the Albanian State Police.