DPM Koprivica: Last hopes of unscrupulous smugglers will be destroyed along with smuggled tobacco

The Cabinet's decision to destroy seized tobacco is of historical significance as never before has such an enormous quantity been destroyed in a single process. Every second of the destruction will be under video surveillance. The last hopes of unscrupulous smugglers will be destroyed along with the smuggled tobacco.

The coordination body has also adopted the Operational Plan that contains a detailed framework for implementing the process of destroying seized tobacco in the Port of Bar Free Zone in all phases. This will guarantee safety, efficient working process, monitoring, documenting, etc.

According to the Operational Plan, the destruction will be carried out using the most modern equipment, in an environmentally friendly manner. Our determination in the fight against smuggling is unwavering, without calculation and improvisation.

It is also important to emphasise that the seized tobacco could not be sold because it was not marked with an excise stamp, thus it is illegal, and according to the applicable legal regulations and the Protocol for Combating Illegal Trade in Tobacco Products, it is only the State that can destroy it. In that regard, the Government did not rely on calculations but decisively took legal measures.

I call on representatives of the NGO sector to participate in monitoring the destruction process once it begins, until the end. Transparency and credibility are the foundational principles, as well as the State's interest. Throughout this process, we achieve justice, restore trust and protect the regular market that brings excise revenue to the state budget.

The destruction was preceded by a maximally efficient and credible inventory of seized tobacco, fulfilling the request of the Special State Prosecutor's Office for assistance in conducting the investigation, in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code, a request that was ignored before the voting in of the 44th Cabinet, which speaks for itself. The inventory was carried out with the participation of partner services and representatives of the NGO sector.

We are determined to carry out what has been long awaited, what others did not want or could not do, what is the expectation of both domestic and European public in order to eliminate all manifestations and consequences of tobacco smuggling, which not only did generate enormous illegal profits but also distorted institutions.