Conducting joint customs operations

OLAF participates in large-scale actions in the form of joint customs operations (JCOs) involving EU and international operational partners. These actions of a limited duration aim to combat fraud and smuggling of sensitive goods in specific risk areas.

OPSON XI

In this Europol-Interpol operation, OLAF led a targeted enforcement action specifically focused on stopping the illicit and counterfeit trade in wine and alcoholic beverages.

From December 2021 to May 2022, OLAF coordinated the activities of 19 countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Norway.

As a result,, national customs and police authorities seized 14.7 million litres of illicit wine, beer and spirits, of which, 12 800 litres were found to be counterfeit.

In addition, seizures were made of other items including:

• counterfeit bottles
• a large quantity of counterfeit labels
• empty counterfeit materials used for the production of wine boxes
• a benchtop sparkling wine foil applicator machine and compressor

SHIELD III

In the context of Europol's operation SHIELD III, OLAF led a targeted action focused specifically on illicit and counterfeit hormonal substances, food supplements and medicines for erectile dysfunction.

OLAF facilitated the cooperation and activities of customs authorities of 14 EU Member States that took part in the targeted action: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Spain.

As a result of the action, national customs authorities found various irregularities and confiscated 525 591 tablets and 2 765 vials of various medicines. Among others, 339 489 tablets of medicines for erectile dysfunction and 40 278 tablets of hormonal substances were seized.

SILVER AXE VII

In 2022, OLAF provided its expertise in identifying and tracking suspicious shipments of pesticides in the framework of this annual Europol-coordinated action. During the year, 1,150 tonnes of pesticides were seized, a factory producing fake pesticides was dismantled, and ten people were arrested.

LUDUS III

OLAF assisted 20 Member States seize thousands of fake and illicit toys worth millions of euros under Europol’s operation LUDUS III, which was also supported by the European Union Intellectual Property Office and the World Customs Organization.

The seized goods included counterfeit building bricks for children, dolls and plush toys, costumes and accessories, board and card games, puzzles and fidget toys, videogames as well as characters from well-known animated movies and cartoon series. Many of these illicitly produced goods bore the name of a famous brand and posed multiple risks to children’s health and safety because they had high levels of banned or restricted chemicals, and posed choking, strangulation and fire hazards. It was also found that some of these goods could damage hearing and cause electric shocks.

Along with supporting checks of customs documentation and data analysis, OLAF also coordinated a targeted enforcement action, joining efforts on the ground to seize possible counterfeit and/or hazardous toys destined for the European market. OLAF’s coordinated action ran between September 2022 and November 2022 and resulted in the seizure of around 420,000 toys with an estimated value of approximately €1.7 million.