Darling Fibers’ Post

BBC REPORT (see below) January 2024: The number of illegal vapes seized at the UK border quadrupled last year as authorities wrestle with unlicensed imports amid a surge in youth vaping. Chinese-made vapes which contain much larger amounts of liquid and promise thousands of puffs are widely available in the UK. My comment: It’s easy to be distracted by a surge of junk vapes imported from China and elsewhere, but everyone ignores the ‘elephant in the room’ - mindless children and adults have created the demand for these disposable products that are likely to harm users health and create even more garbage that will contaminate our Planet. UK Gov & Associates should force schools to educate children in the dangers of using vapes (no one is born smoking these gadgets) that are likely to cause long-term harm. In addition, severe penalties should be handed out to corner shops that sell this garbage. Unfortunately the UK is too soft on crime, and that’s why so many criminal gangs from other countries are desperate to invade our shores.

Cocaine seizures in Belgium and the Netherlands, Europe's two biggest import countries and the home countries of large cargo ports Rotterdam and Antwerp, have plummeted this year. But the drug trafficking problem isn't gone. Criminals have shifted their operations to other, maybe less monitored ports in southern and northern Europe, and are operating out of new source countries (such as Western African Sierra Leone) and using new methods. It's a game of Whac-A-Mole that experts warned would happen. Cracking down on drug trafficking in one port causes gangs to divert operations to others where they encounter less resistance. Our take here, w/ Alessandro Ford, and insights from Europol, Belgian customs, UNODC and Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson. https://lnkd.in/gwYmU4Wh

Great piece by The Associated Press covering the impact of drug trafficking on world trade, in this case Ecuadorian bananas which are a critical export. European authorities are making record-setting busts inspecting containers of Ecuadorian bananas and a third of the cocaine seized is coming from Ecuadorian shipments. How can this number be increased even further? Leverage the open-source information available to enhance investigations and optimize the limited law-enforcement resources on the ground in ports. Information available includes export data, shipment records, container records, and vessel routes. #opensourceintelligence #opensource #drugtrafficking #lawenforcement #maritimesecurity #maritime #customs #importexport #worldtrade

🌎->🇬🇧->🇩🇪->🇪🇺 Cocaine worth £450m seized in UK’s biggest ever haul [excerpt] Almost 6 tonnes of the drug were found in transit at Southampton in load of bananas destined for Germany Cocaine worth £450 million has been discovered in a cargo of bananas from South America in the largest class A drug seizure in the UK. The National Crime Agency (NCA) and Border Force found 5.7 tonnes of cocaine in a container carrying the fruit at Southampton port on February 8. The drugs were heading to Hamburg in Germany for onward delivery, the NCA has said. A spokesman for the agency said: “Inquiries are ongoing with international partners across Europe with a view to identifying the #criminal #networks involved. Based on UK street-level prices the cocaine would likely have had an estimated value in excess of £450 million.” The previous largest UK seizure was 3.7 tonnes of cocaine, also found at Southampton, in 2022, and 3.2 tonnes were found on board the tug boat MV Hamal in Scotland in 2015. Chris Farrimond, the NCA director of threat leadership, said: “This record breaking seizure will represent a huge hit to the international #organisedcrime #cartels involved, denying them massive profits. The work of the NCA was crucial to making it happen. “While the destination for the consignment was continental Europe in this case, I have no doubt that a significant proportion would have ended up back here in the UK, being peddled by UK criminal gangs. “The NCA is targeting international networks upstream and overseas, disrupting and dismantling them at every step. International law enforcement co-operation is essential to this mission. [later] “This seizure sends a clear message to criminals that they will be caught. Our #Border Force officers continue to work relentlessly to protect our borders and ensure the safety and security of the public.” The NCA said UK gangs make about £4 billion a year from cocaine and the trade was increasingly violent. A spokesman said: “Cocaine trafficking is closely linked to serious violence throughout the #supplychain, including firearms and knife crime in the UK. The cocaine trade has seen an exponential rise in associated violence in the past few years.” #drugtrafficking #gangs #crime #portsecurity https://lnkd.in/egjhA4fk

There has been a lot of speculation online about Entry Type 86. This recently published statement from CBP Acting Commissioner, Troy Miller should help to provide some context for the recent enforcement of penalties. “CBP’s evaluation and suspension of non-compliant Entry Type 86 Test participants is part of a multi-layered enforcement approach to prevent abuse of the de minimis process, protect the integrity of the supply chain, and ensure that businesses comply with applicable U.S. legal requirements. When businesses fail to comply with U.S. law, it can have far-reaching effects on the integrity of our trade system and the people reliant on the goods that flow through our ports every day. For example, bad actors are exploiting the de minimis environment to move materials used to produce synthetic drugs -- like fentanyl and its analogues -- and other contraband into the United States. CBP’s enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit activities begin beyond our borders, and we will continue to strengthen our ability to combat de minimis shipment exploitation in a multitude of ways." Full Text here -> https://lnkd.in/eMfx7G4W

The new customs rules are causing uncertainty for businesses, warns the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). 🌐💼 With charges of up to £145 for plant and animal product imports under the UK's Border Target Operating Model, firms face unprecedented fees. 📦💷 Uncertainty over which consignments undergo checks, compounded by border computer issues, adds to the challenge. 🤔💻 Amidst this, it's crucial to advocate for clear guidance and efficient processes to support business resilience. 💡 #CustomsRules #BusinessFees #ImportCharges #GlobalTrade

Celebrating International Customs Day with a pledge to fortify borders against counterfeits. Together, let's secure the authenticity of international trade using our covert brand protection solutions! #Ennoventure #Ennovengers #Authenticity #Counterfeits #BrandProtection #CustomsDay #InternationalCustomsDay

Read Jones Day's Alert to learn about DHS's enhanced strategy to combat illicit trade in the textile industry, including violations of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. https://ow.ly/OXFT50ShgJs #forcedlabor #supplychains #internationaltrade

Fashion industry friends... the Department of Homeland Security has announced new enforcement action plans for the textile industry. We should prepare for more CF 28's, FTA verifications, audits, and forced labor detentions. #fashionindustry #afslaw #afsfashioncounsel #afscustomscounsel

Often when people think about customs what comes to mind is the image of bureaucracy, red tape complex procedures, regulations; but Customs is so much more and the benefits and the positive effects are often overlooked. Customs authorities play a crucial role in maintaining security and protecting citizens health and the society against illegal drugs, counterfeit products or dangerous substances by enforcing regulations and quality standards. Customs are also responsible for protecting the economy by enforcing trade policies like quotas or anti-dumping measures to protect domestic industries from unfair competition. Moreover, customs play an important part in safeguarding the environment and fighting illegal wildlife trade by enforcing regulations related to the trade of endangered species protected by the CITES. #customs #customscompliance #trade