NCJ Number
124999
Date Published
1990
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Three developments in the British Customs Service respond to the increasing threat of drug smuggling and money laundering: discreet investigations at national frontiers are launched to identify masterminds of drug smuggling operations; the growth of international cooperation is leading to a greater exchange of intelligence material; and asset seizure is being utilized as a way to stop the chain of drug smuggling and illicit profit making.
Abstract
The British Drug Trafficking Offenses Act of 1986 provides authority to trace, freeze, and confiscate assets and has proved to be a powerful investigative and punitive tool. The success of the assets seizure program can be partially attributed to the creation of the Customs Drug Financial Investigation Branch which combines experience in drug law enforcement with intelligence, Value Added Tax (VAT), and fraud investigations. The Branch has contact with, and cooperation from, the financial community and is authorized to gather voluntary disclosures from banks and other institutions of suspicious financial transactions. International cooperation has increased as customs services of different countries collaborate to monitor the international flow of drug money as it is laundered through banks and corporations. An essential ingredient to cooperation is the need for legislative compatibility between countries who must deal with issues including the confidentiality of bank clients, the need for free flow of capital, and the standing of various financial centers. The establishment of an international legal structure to cover this type of work and close international loopholes is recommended.