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Newswatcher | 13 Februar, 2008 15:08
The Hague - The Netherlands.
Europol, the Central Office of the European Union for combating euro counterfeiting, in 2007 supported the law enforcement authorities of the EU and world-wide in combating euro counterfeiting effectively and successfully. Several operations were carried out in cooperation with the national authorities both inside and outside of the European Union. In total 19 illegal print shops (16 in 2006) producing high amounts of counterfeit euro banknotes were dismantled. In addition, two illegal mint shops, producing counterfeit euro coins were closed.
The print and mint shops were dismantled in Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Austria, the United Kingdom and Romania as well as outside of the EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia and Peru.
The successful action of the national authorities supported by Europol prevented the introduction into circulation of approx. 600,000 counterfeit euro bank notes (550.000 pieces in 2006) and ended up with the arrest of more than 500 suspects. A criminal profit of nearly 50 million euros was prevented because of these seizures. In addition, two illegal mints were discovered in Italy and Spain where more than 35,000 counterfeit 2-euro coins were seized.
Figures released by the European Central Bank today are confirming that the amount of counterfeit euro banknotes identified as being in circulation remained almost stable in 2007.
Europol Director Max-Peter Ratzel concludes "The figures once again demonstrate that euro counterfeiting requires careful attention and monitoring even if the total number of counterfeits seized appears relatively low when compared with the number of genuine euro banknotes in circulation (more than 11 Billion). As also outlined in Europol's Organised Crime Threat Assessment (OCTA), the protection of the euro will remain a priority for Europol in order to keep the situation as stable as it is now. We will continue to offer specific knowledge, operational analysis and operational support to the EU Member States and to our fellow partners worldwide".
Europol cooperates closely with the National Central Offices of the EU Member States, the European Central Bank, the European Commission (OLAF) and Interpol to combat threats arising from euro counterfeiting and to enhance and coordinate any assistance in this crime area. Several Joint Investigation Teams were implemented to protect the euro. Furthermore, a Joint Initiative with Interpol was amended in August 2007 in order to enhance the cooperation on this important issue between both organisations.
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