The Deputy Head of the Border Police Department, Ianus Erhan hold today, February 13, 2014 a meeting with the representative of the Federal Agency for combating drugs (DEA) of the U.S. Department of Justice, Brian Malagrida and the Liaison Officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the Southeastern European Center of law enforcement (SELEC), Dragos Neagu.
At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Erhan informed the guests on the achievements of the Border Police Department in combating cross-border crime, as a result of taking over the new competences of criminal investigation and special investigations.
Thus, it was agreed to establish an effective mechanism for cooperation in preventing and combating illicit drug trafficking, which involves the creation of joint investigation teams, information exchange, training of the employees of Border Police, etc. Mr. Malagrida was especially interested in enhancement capacities of Border Police Department in carrying out criminal activity analysis of the illicit drugs trafficking phenomenon.
Further, the discussion focused on establishing effective cooperation between Border Police and SELEC Center, which would imply the participation of Border Police Department in the activities carried out by the respective Centre, in particular within the area of information exchange, international mutual assistance between law enforcement authorities of the states participating at this initiative, joint investigations, etc.
Mr. Neagu assured that the representatives of Border Police Department shall beneficiate of the entire support in preventing and combating cross-border crime, particularly regarding participation in various international operations or working groups.
Note: SELEC Centre (previously SECI Centre) is based in Bucharest and is the only organization in Southeastern Europe acting in combating cross-border crime at the operational level. SELEC Center represents the focal point for the support of the countries of the region in their efforts to join the European Union in the field of justice and home affairs.
SELEC Centre has 12 members and namely: Republic of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Bulgaria, Republic of Croatia, Republic of Macedonia, Republic of Greece, Hungary, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Republic of Serbia and Republic of Turkey.
The SELEC objective in the framework of the cooperation between the competent authorities is to provide support to Member States and to enhance the coordination in preventing and combating cross-border crime, including serious and organized crime.
The benefit of the Member States and of the Centre partners lies in the capacity of carrying out investigations and multinational operations in Southeastern Europe oriented towards the achievement of the results with minimal investments.
