The German Customs Office’s annual report, presented by Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, has prompted the Police Union (GdP) to demand significant improvements in the fight against money laundering and smuggling.
Frank Buckenhofer, chairman of the GdP’s regional group for customs, told the Rheinische Post, “We will not be able to combat organized crime with the structures of a finance office.” While it is commendable that the finance minister presents the customs office’s achievements once a year, he is also the chief of a police force in the fight against money laundering, labor market crime and the smuggling of cocaine, weapons and other prohibited or health-endangering goods, Buckenhofer emphasized.
The customs administration, however, has not met the requirements of a modern authority for combating crime for a long time, the GdP chief criticized. In particular, the enforcement police sector of the customs office must be “much more effective” in the future, Buckenhofer said. Finance Minister Klingbeil is set to present the 2024 customs office annual report in Hamburg on Tuesday.