German police and customs enhance cooperation against organized crime

Germany will permit closer cooperation between the federal police and the federal customs office in its fight against organized crime, with a view to seizing illegal profits and combining resources, Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said on Wednesday.

Speaking after the weekly cabinet meeting in Berlin, Klingbeil said that investigators would be authorized to access the databases of partner agencies, conduct analyses of large quantities of data and make biometric comparisons on the internet.

The authorities were sharpening their tools to combat economic crime, he said. "We will ensure that the investigating agencies hit criminals in their most sensitive spot: the money," Klingbeil said.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the federal police (BKA) would be provided with additional personnel and greater implementation powers.

Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig said that organized crime gangs were undermining confidence in the rule of law. "Criminals must be investigated quickly, brought before the courts and vigorously punished," she said.

The three ministries have drawn up a plan of action with a precise legal formulation to follow. The plan includes improved exchange of information between the BKA and customs officers, with direct access to each other's databases.

Investigators will gain new powers for automated data analysis, biometric comparisons on the internet and to test and train IT products.

New rules will be drawn up to confiscate illegal profits, including "a reversal of the burden of proof, in particular in the event of noticeable discrepancies between assets and income."

A new joint competency centre combining the BKA and the customs office will be set up to probe money laundering.

And the two bodies will establish a joint narcotics analysis and evaluation centre, along with a joint investigating group.