Interpol Praises Belarus’ Contribution to Combating #OrganizedCrime

Belarus makes an appreciable contribution to combating international organized crime, said Interpol President Mireille Ballestrazzi and Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble in their message of congratulations on the occasion of the 20th anniversary since the establishment of Interpol’s National Central Bureau in the Republic of Belarus and the country’s membership in the organization.

“A plenty of important events have taken place over the past two decades. When Belarus became an independent country, one of the first things it did was to join the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in 1993. A decade ago, in 2003, the Belarusian bureau of Interpol was among the first to get access to Interpol’s I-24/7 global police communications system. For the two decades Belarus has been making a valuable contribution to combating international organized crime. The country takes part in Interpol’s project Millennium meant to counteract organized criminal groups operating in Eurasia,” the message of congratulations reads.

At present the I-24/7 system is available to Belarusian policemen, border services and other law enforcement agencies. The system offers important and relevant international police information. In 2012-2013 Belarus was actively involved in Interpol’s Operation Black Poseidon aimed to identify, disrupt and dismantle transnational organized networks behind trafficking in illicit goods and counterfeiting. As a result of the operation, millions of illicit goods were seized all over Eastern Europe, many people were arrested for counterfeiting. In 2013 Belarusian law enforcement agencies conducted over five million checks using Interpol databanks. “This testifies to the great interest of Belarusian law enforcement agencies in maintaining the security of their citizens,” Interpol believes.

Belarus was one of the first member states to officially recognize Interpol’s travel documents, thus demonstrating its willingness to deepen cooperation.

“Interpol appreciates Belarus’ contribution to the international anti-crime efforts. We are convinced that the National Central Bureau will do its utmost to fulfill our goal – to make people feel safe whenever they are,” the message reads.