| 9 October 2008 
The Joint Border Control Operation FOCUS 2, implemented by the Moldovan and Ukrainian services in cooperation with the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM), strengthened cooperation on border security between the two countries and their European neighbours.
During the operation Moldovan and Ukrainian services jointly detected 293 cases of illegal smuggling of goods at border crossing points (BCP’s) and along the green border. The total value of goods seized during the operation amounted to more than EUR 1 million. This was possible thanks to effective exchange of information and cooperation at the national and international level.
The goal of the operation was to counteract illegal movement of goods across the Moldovan-Ukrainian state border; fight trafficking in human beings and illegal migration; and improve risk analysis of suspicious cargo and passengers. Especially, the operation aimed at strengthening cooperation between border agencies and law enforcement agencies of Moldova and Ukraine.
The FOCUS 2 was implemented in two phases. The first phase of the operation lasted from 7-23 April and the second phase from 26 August -12 September. The central coordinating body of the operation, the Liaison Team, was constituted of representatives from the partner services and was hosted by EUBAM.
Several targeted operations were carried out in relation to combating trafficking in human beings, illegal migration, and forged travel documents at the Moldovan-Ukrainian border. For example, during the operation several migration channels and modus operandi were identified. Six major cases of illegal migration have been detected. Five cases were established in the course of the operation by the participating services and one was initiated by international partners.
As a follow up to the targeted operations, an international workshop on combating illegal migration and trafficking in human beings took place in Chisinau. EUBAM together with the Moldovan Centre for Combating Trafficking in Persons facilitated and organised the workshop attended by all relevant Moldovan and Ukrainian services; representatives of Romanian, Slovakian and Hungarian Police; SECI Centre; FRONTEX; and IOM.
As part of the operation, special attention was given to seizures of cocaine in February: 40 kg of cocaine (street value EUR 8 million) in Odessa Sea Port and 6 kg of cocaine (street value EUR 1.2 million) in Moldova. Operational cooperation was initiated with EU law enforcement agencies and the US Drug Enforcement Agency. Further on, Moldovan and Ukrainian services established permanent contacts and information exchange with international colleagues regarding these cases.
All participants of the operation agreed that FOCUS 2 was a good opportunity to make international cooperation between Moldova, Ukraine and the EU more effective in order to fight cross border crime.
About FOCUS 2
FOCUS 2 is the fifth joint border control operation conducted together with agencies from Moldova and Ukraine; with equivalent services in the neighbouring EU Member States; and with European agencies. The main innovation, compared to the previous years, was the establishment of five Working Groups to develop and carry out joint multi-agency operations. As a result seven joint operations were implemented during FOCUS 2. Investigations, initiated during the operation, continue.
Participants of the FOCUS 2
Republic of Moldova: Customs Service, Border Guard Service, Security and Information Service, Ministry of Interior (Anti-Drug Directorate, Directorate for Fight against Illegal
Migration, Directorate of Economic Police), Bureau for Migration and Asylum, Centre for Combating Trafficking in Persons, Centre for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption, Ministry of Reintegration, and Tax Inspection.
Ukraine: State Customs Service, State Border Guard Service, Ministry of Interior, Security Service, and State Tax Administration.
International Partners: Border guard and customs services of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania.
International organisations and agencies: FRONTEX, INTERPOL, OLAF, and SECI Centre.
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