Project has been launched called “Combating excise crimes in the Baltic region”, co-financed by the Internal Security Fund

On 22 September 2023, the State Revenue Service (SRS) signed an agreement with the Ministry of the Interior regarding the implementation of the project co-financed by the Internal Security Fund.

It is a joint project between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania that is being implemented in all three Baltic States with the aim of reducing the illegal circulation of excisable goods and the excise tax gap in the Baltic region, increasing the efficiency and technical capacity of law enforcement authorities in combating the shadow economy, combating illegal smuggling of tobacco products, fuel and alcohol in the Baltic region and the European Union.

Specialty equipment will be purchased during the project, training will be provided to investigators and other law enforcement officers involved in combating offences in the field of excise goods, support for cross-border criminal investigations.

The project is commenced on 1 January 2023 and is scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2025. The financial resources allocated to Latvia are EUR 267 666, of which the financing of the Internal Security Fund is EUR 240 899, and the state co-financing – EUR 26 767.