In its efforts to support strengthening partner countries’ capacity to counter drug trafficking and organised crime, from 22 to 24 March, CRIMJUST delivered a specialized workshop in Bolivia aimed at supporting and enhancing the implementation of confiscation on assets from drug trafficking.
Recognising the relevance of the activity Ms Meritxell Giménez, representative of the EU in Bolivia, stated that the resources linked to illicit drug trafficking undermine local economies and businesses, and ultimately threaten society on a myriad levels. She also acknowledged that it is the governments’ responsibility to identify where those resources come from and where they are located.
Delivered by Colombian experts in money laundering, property confiscation and financial crimes, the workshop contributed to further strengthening cooperation in the region.
Through this workshop, the participants were able to analyse international instruments and standards as set out by UN conventions or the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The workshop also addressed financial and property-related investigations, precautionary measures, legal arguments, supporting evidence, and the trial itself.
The workshop included participation of officials from the Ministry of Interior, the Judiciary, the Prosecutor’s Office, Deputy Minister of Social Defence and Controlled Substances, the Directorate for the Registry, Control and Administration of Seized Assets (DIRCABI), the Anti-Narcotics Special Task Force, INTERPOL, the Financial Investigations Unit (UIF), as well as police liaison officers from Colombia, Peru and Brazil.
