During his recent trip to Odesa, Ukrainian Prseident Petro Poroshenko pledged a new campaign against smuggling with the help of special mobile groups of volunteers and armed soldiers.
At
a meeting with the heads of regional administrations on July 8 in
Odesa, Poroshenko said about his intentions of starting the battle
against all sorts of smuggling in Ukraine.
“We
will strengthen security on the border with Transnistria and control
international ports in the south of Ukraine. Our western borders will
now have common crossing points with neighboring countries. In the east – the main decision is of course new electronic pass system,
“said Poroshenko.
The
electronic pass system would not only make easier the process of
passing the contact line from the war zone to the territory
controlled by Ukraine. It also could help to control the huge
smuggling flows from the war zone and Russia to Ukraine.
Also,
the president will push the law project to the parliament that would
oblige border guards to seize and destroy contraband alcohol and
cigarettes.
“Trucks, passenger cars, carrying smuggling, will be
confiscated and sent for further exploitation to the Ukrainian
military forces in the war zone,” said Poroshenko.
The fight
against smuggling will be in the war zone also.
According to
Poroshenko, many volunteers claimed that smuggling involves dishonest
Ukrainian soldiers and separatists.
“We will create special
mobile teams to catch smugglers in the conflict zone. The brigades
will consist of volunteers. But I do not advise anyone to bare arms
against them. Because armed guard brigade troops will accompany
them,” explained Poroshenko.
More
than 70 percent of contraband imported to Ukraine through Donetsk and
Luhansk oblasts, according to TNS.
The State
Fiscal Service of Ukraine noted a significant increase in the illegal
imports through the western border after the introduction of import
charges at the rate of 10 percent and 5 percent in February.
President
also offered to return criminal liability for smuggling. “The
smugglers have to be behind bars, And not immediately released with a
detention as it was before” said the president.
He said law enforcement supports his position.
For more information, go to the president’s official website here.
