The customs and tax authorities in Greenland and Denmark have taken six concrete initiatives for strengthened cooperation, which must prevent drug smuggling and get the black economy to control. Photo: Sermitsiaq
From 2020 to 2023, 276 kilos of hash, which had been tried to be smuggled into Greenland, were seized.
Euphoric substances are increasingly finding their way to Greenland. The supply route often runs through Denmark, and the drug trade also involves large amounts of cash in circulation. Money that often ends up being laundered. A strengthened cooperation with six specific measures between the Greenlandic and Danish tax authorities must now curb this, it is stated in a joint press release, which Naalakkersuisoq (Minister) for Tax and Finance Erik Jensen and the Danish Minister of Taxation Jeppe Bruus have issued.
From 2020 to 2023, 276 kg of hashish and 12.5 million DKK in cash have been seized by the police. In addition, the authorities notice that hard drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines and heroin are increasingly being smuggled into Greenland.
Denmark and Greenland are working together more closely to combat drug trafficking and the black economy
Six joint initiatives are to counteract increasing challenges in Greenland with drug smuggling and the black economy. Minister of Finance Jeppe Bruus traveled to Greenland on the 18th-21st. August to focus on the collaboration.
Drugs destroy people's lives and harm society. And then, naturally, there is a large black economy associated with smuggling and the drug trade. It is completely unacceptable, and we must do everything to stop the unscrupulous criminals who are trying to get drugs into Greenland. That is why we are now strengthening the cooperation between Greenland and Denmark in order to slow down the negative development, says Tax Minister Jeppe Bruus.
The customs authorities in Greenland and Denmark see many creative methods for smuggling drugs into the country, for example in frozen packages and food products. There are also several examples of smugglers who try to get the substances across the border by transporting them in their bodies.
At the same time, due to Greenland's remote geographical location, the criminals have a large profit by buying drugs in Denmark and reselling them in Greenland at multiplied prices. Therefore, it also has both major social and health consequences for Greenlandic society.
The customs and tax authorities in Greenland and Denmark have a long and strong tradition of cooperation. The tax area was one of the first areas that Greenland took over after the establishment of the Greenland home rule system in 1979. Now the cooperation is further strengthened, Jeppe Bruus explains:
The trends we see with drug trafficking and the black economy in Greenland mean that we have to stand even closer together. That is why I am happy that today we can strengthen the already good cooperation with the Greenlandic tax and customs authorities. With the six measures, we stand closer together against drug trafficking and the black economy, says Jeppe Bruus.
In Greenland too, the ministers look forward to the strengthening of cooperation, explains naalakkersuisoq for Finance and Taxes Erik Jensen:
We are happy about the good cooperation we have with the Ministry of Taxation to combat drugs and the black economy. Drug trafficking is a global phenomenon, and therefore it is seen as natural for us to cooperate with Denmark in combating this, says Erik Jensen.
When it comes to drug smuggling, the following three measures have been agreed upon:
1. Closer cooperation across borders
Closer cooperation across borders is ensured in order to strengthen social protection controls that prevent, among other things, narcotics from entering across the border. This entails, among other things, closer operational cooperation and the holding of several joint efforts and concrete operations.
2. Increased knowledge sharing and exchange of experience
The sharing of knowledge and the exchange of experience is increased, so that experience on the control of goods that are imported, exported or in transit is shared between the authorities. It must ensure that the authorities are in a stronger position in relation to the fight against the smuggling of illegal goods, including drugs.
3. Strengthened cooperation regarding training and education
The cooperation on training and education of employees as well as training and certification of service dogs is strengthened and expanded to also include money dogs. In addition, it must be possible for Greenlandic customs officers to get an internship in Denmark and vice versa.
When it comes to the fight against the black economy, the following measures have been agreed upon:
1. Increased use of data
Use of data on suspicious transactions, companies and individuals involved in illegal economic activities in Greenland is strengthened. This applies, among other things, to data on recipients of public benefits in order to prevent social fraud.
2. Increased exchange of knowledge and experience
The exchange of knowledge and experience increases. This applies, among other things, to methods for combating the black economy and control of foreign companies operating in Greenland and companies that use foreign labour. The effort must prevent black economy and social dumping. In addition, it is being investigated whether the existing possibilities for lending employees from the Tax Agency in Denmark to the Tax Agency in Greenland can be strengthened.
3. Technological cooperation
The possibilities for new technological solutions for securing the tax base in Greenland must be assessed with respect for the technical infrastructure and digital maturity in Greenland.
Source: Sermitsiaq, Skatteministeriet
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