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November 01, 2007 - In October of this year the Indirect Taxation Authority collected BAM  503 million to the Single Account. For the first time since the introduction of Single Account, 34 months ago, the revenues collected from indirect taxes in one month period are over BAM 500 million.
During these ten months of 2007 the Indirect Taxation Authority collected BAM 4.359 billion from indirect taxes to the Single Account. The net amount of the assets paid into the Single Account that remains after BAM 520 million are deducted from this amount for the purpose of tax refund assets that the ITA paid to the taxpayers entitled to tax refund during ten months of this year is BAM 3.839 billion to be distributed among the beneficiaries. This amount is some 12% bigger than the amount collected in the same period last year.

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October 31, 2007 - Today the Joint Task Force, consisting of the representatives of State Border Police andIndirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina, held a meeting in Sarajevo, in the premises of the State Border Police Headquarters.
The following was determined on the basis of the Agreement on Mutual Cooperation and the previously signed Action Plan for Implementation of the Agreement: activities, methodology and phases of implementation, implementing partners and deadlines for implementation of the activities required by the Agreement that was signed between the State Border Police and Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the meeting the representatives of the Joint Task Force discussed the efficacy of: information exchange system, joint risk analyses implementation, coordination of the flow of passengers, traffic and goods control at the border crossing points, exchange of information related to safety of borders, plans for providing mutual assistance in staff training, as well as other fields relevant to successful cooperation.
There was especially highlighted the importance of giving timely notice of future activities significant for both State Border Police and Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Task Force Meeting photos:

Task Force Meeting (photo 1)

Task Force Meeting (photo 2)

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October 16, 2007 - The officers of the Indirect Taxation Authority – Banja Luka Regional Center, Anti-smugglingDepartment, found with the exporter "XING LONG doo" from Sarajevo the following goods: hidden 68,800 pieces of the NIKE emblems of different sizes, 71 reels of foil with the NIKE emblems and 500 pieces of glue. Those goods were tried to be smuggled to Bosnia and Herzegovina but after having been found they were seized temporarily because of a suspected misuse of the NIKE trademark. The proceedings will be instituted against the importer.

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October 09, 2007 - On October 9, 2007 the officers of the SIPA (State Information and Protection Agency)– Regional Center Mostar, assisted by the SIPA Special Support Unit and in cooperation with the Indirect Taxation Authority - Regional Center Mostar, State Border Police, Ministry of Interior of the Herzegovina - Neretva Canton and Ministry of Republic of Srpska - Trebinje Public Security Center, making it over 80 officers from the Bosnia and Herzegovina law enforcement agencies, searched the buildings and other premises on six locations acting upon the Crime Hotline report and the Bosnia and Herzegovina Court order. The search of  those buildings and premises was carried out in order to find out the proofs and items – equipment and to seize them temporarily. They were gathered during the crime commitment, precisely during the commitment of "Copyright Infringement" as stipulated by the Article 243 of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After having drawn up the plan, the flats and ancillary facilities on two locations in Čapljina, Neum, Trebinje and on two locations in Mostar were searched simultaneously. The following equipment was found out and temporarily seized after the search of the house, precisely the illegal workshop for recording CDs, in the territory of the Municipality of Čapljina was carried out: 38 pieces of the "Asus" DVD recorders, 28 pieces of the "Canon" printers, 4 pieces of computer central processing units, 4 pieces of LCD monitors, 4 pieces of CD recording devices with 12 recorders, 1 CD recording device with 6 recorders, 10 pieces of used "Asus" recorders, 15 pieces of UPS, 3 pieces of a keyboard with a mouse, 1 XP Sken Yet2004 scanner, 8 pieces of the  MS PRO-550ATX54 power supply units, 2 pieces of the Xerox professional printers, 5 VCRs, 2 pieces of DVD players-recorders, 1 "Pioneer" multi-channel audio-video device and a large quantity of spare parts for the DVD recorders, as well as a large quantity of various production materials.
After the search of a family house belonging to K.S. was carried out, the following items were found in the basement: cca 550 cardboard parcels of different sizes containing covers and empty CD and DVD cases, a large quantity of used toners, some 3,500 pieces of music CDs of different performers and authors, as well as a large quantity of DVD movies. There were also found some 50,000 pieces of empty CDs.
The music shops in the territory of the Municipality of Čapljina, in Neum, Trebinje and two music shops in Mostar were also searched and the following were found: cca 24,000 CDs and 8,000 DVDs, as well as 3,000 empty CDs. The total market value of the found goods was estimated to be over BAM 1,000,000.
During the enforcement of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Court orders, the SIPA authorized officers arrested ten persons for a founded suspicion about their having committed a crime stipulated in the Article 243 of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina was promptly informed about that.

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October 05, 2007 - The joint action of the officers of the Indirect Taxation Authority, State Border Police and Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Srpska resulted in finding some 40 packets of marijuana, with the total weight of 50 kg, in the territory of the Rudo Municipality. It is supposed that a person whose initials are Z.R. (born in 1980, citizen of the Republic of Montenegro) brought the drug into the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina two days ago. More details will be available at today's press conference that will take place in the Public Security Center Istočno Sarajevo.
On October 2, 2007, at the Uvac Border Crossing Point, while conducting a routine inspection of vehicles travelling from Montenegro to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the officers of the Indirect Taxation Authority stopped the Toyota Corola vehicle with the Montenegrin registration plates. The vehicle was driven by the person with the initials Z.R., a citizen of the Republic of Montenegro. While the ITA officers were searching the vehicle, the person in question started the vehicle and without permission, and before the border control was carried out, ran away at a great speed towards Uvac-Rudo. The officers of the ITA and State Border Police continued with the pursuit of the runaway. On the same day, around 3 p.m., the vehicle driven by Z.R. was found abandoned (and locked) near the roadside, in Mokronozi, the Municipality of Rudo. By order of the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the officers of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Srpska and Rudo Police Station conducted the on-site investigation, while the officers of the State Border Police searched the vehicle thoroughly using a tracking dog who confirmed suspicions that there had been drug in that vehicle. Some 40 packets of marijuana were found in the territory of Mokronozi, the Municipality of Rudo, near the site where the vehicle, driven by Z.R., was parked. The full report will be submitted to the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It will be recalled that on September 29, 2007 the officers of the Indirect Taxation Authority and State Border Police found 13 packets of marijuana (total weight of 13 kg and 189g) at the Deleuša Border Crossing Point (Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro). The packets were found in a vehicle with the registration plates of the town of Šibenik, which was driven by a person with the initials M.D. coming from Drniš, Republic of Croatia.

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September 29, 2007 - Last night, after 8 p.m., the officers of the Indirect Taxation Authority and Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina seized 13 kg and 189 g of marijuana at the Deleuša Border Crossing Point.
During the regular inspection of the vehicles coming from the direction of Montenegro towards Bosnia and Herzegovina, there were found 13 packets of marijuana in a passenger car with the registration plates of the town of Šibenik, driven by a person with the initials M.D. coming from Drniš (Republic of Croatia). The officers of the Indirect Taxation Authority and Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina found the drug in the trunk, under a spare tire. The total weight of the detected marijuana was 13 kg and 189 g. Since the person who the drug was found with is a Croatian citizen, it is supposed that the drug was intended for the narco-market of the Republic of Croatia. The Border State officers have, for the purpose of further investigation, temporarily detained the person who the drug was found with.

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September 26, 2007 - The officers of the Indirect Taxation Authority temporarily seized a new shipment of 13,368 pairs of counterfeit PUMA and NIKE sports shoes in the Banja Luka Customs Branch Office. The counterfeit goods were imported from China. The total market value of the temporarily seized goods was estimated to be BAM 500,000.
During the customs clearance procedure conducted in the Banja Luka Customs Branch Office, the officers of the Customs and Law Enforcement Sectors of the Indirect Taxation Authority detected a new shipment of counterfeit sports shoes: 13,368 pairs of the PUMA and NIKE sports shoes with the market value estimated to be BAM 500,000. Having suspected that the goods were counterfeit, the Indirect Taxation Authority officers contacted the authorized agents for the importation of PUMA and NIKE brands into Bosnia and Herzegovina who confirmed that the concerned goods were counterfeit. Afterwards the Indirect Taxation Authority officers notified the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina and by its warrant there were seized 13,368 pairs of counterfeit sneakers. The proceedings will be instituted against the importer.
Photos of seized goods:

Seized sports shoes (photo 1)

Seized sports shoes (photo 2)

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September 25, 2007 - Yesterday the Indirect Taxation Authority inaugurated the newly built Border Crossing Pointin Šamac. The Border Crossing Point was inaugurated by Mr. Nikola Špirić, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Dimitris Kourkoulas, Head of the Delegation of European Commission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Mr. Kemal Čaušević, Director of the Indirect Taxation Authority.
The Border Crossing Point in Šamac is located on the main road M-17, at the border with the Republic of Croatia. The release of the Šamac Border Crossing Point marked the second phase of modern border crossing point construction. During the second phase there will be constructed the Border Crossing Points in Bosanski Brod, Zupci and Klobuk.
The EU donated approximately EUR 3,800,000 for the construction of the Border Crossing Point in Šamac. The total space of the Border Crossing Point is 30,000 m2 and it is marked the road border crossings for international goods and passenger transport of the first category. The design of the Border Crossing Point as well as supervision of the construction activities were carried out by the IPSA Company from Sarajevo. The construction activities were carried out by the SCT Company from Ljubljana in consortium with the Elektrometal Company from Cazin.
This modern border crossing point includes: central building for customs, police and other border services, eaves, inspection building, vehicle check building and commercial building; for passenger transport:  6 lanes for passenger cars with 14 check points, over 30 parking spots for lorries and buses, 40 parking spots for the staff; for goods traffic: 2 entry and 2 exit lanes with the swing-gates and check points, 2 weighbridges (at the entry into and exit from Bosnia and Herzegovina).
The following Border Crossing Points were released in the first phase of modern border crossing point construction: Orašje, Izačić, Rača, Karakaj, Hukića brdo – Maljevac, Gradina – Jasenovac and Kamensko.
The construction and equipping of the modern border crossing points, as well as improvement of the working conditions of the Indirect Taxation Authority staff, are significant factors in more efficient revenue collection where the Indirect Taxation Authority achieves constant growth, as well as the main precondition for reaching relevant goals such as raising the safety level and combating frauds and smuggling with, at the same time, rapid flow of goods and passengers.
Photos of inauguration ceremony:

Ribbon-cutting ceremony (Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Head of the Delegation of European Commission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Director of the Indirect Taxation Authority) (photo 1)

Ribbon-cutting ceremony (Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Head of the Delegation of European Commission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Director of the Indirect Taxation Authority) (photo 2)

Guests at the BCP Samac inauguration ceremony

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September 07, 2007 - The officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority – Regional Centre Mostar, together withthe officers from the State Investigation and Protection Agency and Ministry of Interior of the West-Herzegovina Canton, have successfully carried out the action on busting the organized crime ring of illegal manufacturing and selling the "Marlboro" brand cigarettes in the area of Grude, in Herzegovina.
A large quantity of manufactured cigarettes with the total market value estimated to be BAM one million was temporarily seized at the car dump on the road Ljubuški-Grude. The cigarettes were loaded on the truck with the stolen registration plates.
The illegal cigarette factory with six machines of the total value over BAM one million was located in Drinovci, near Grude. There were also found a few tones of tobacco, tens of thousands of the counterfeit cigarette stamps originating from the neighbouring Republic of Serbia, as well as other materials needed for cigarette manufacturing and packaging.
The officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority are going to submit the Report against a few individuals to the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Photos of seized goods:

Seized cigarettes (photo 1)

Seized cigarettes (photo 2)

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August 01, 2007 - In July of this year the Indirect Taxation Authority collected BAM  488 million to the Single Account. Since establishment of the Indirect Taxation Authority this is the highest amount of revenue collected from indirect taxes in one month period.
In 2007 the ITA has had a constant growth in revenues. In first seven months of 2007 the Indirect Taxation Authority collected BAM 2.917 billion to the Single Account. The net amount of the assets paid into the Single Account that remains after BAM 353 million are deducted from this amount for the purpose of tax refund assets that the ITA paid to the taxpayers entitled to tax refund is BAM 2.564 billion.
It is already certain that the foreseen revenues in the amount of BAM 4.140 billion will be exceeded in this year. It is estimated that in 2007 this ambitious plan will be exceeded for over BAM 300 million.
The allocation of revenues from the Single Account is regulated with the Law on Payments into the Single Account and the Governing Board decisions on the revenue partition coefficient. In first seven months of this year some BAM 364 million from the Single Account were allocated for the state level institutions funding. In first seven months of 2007  some BAM  1.468 billion were transferred from the Single Account to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, BAM 715 million to the Republic of Srpska and BAM 78 million to Brčko District.

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July 06, 2007. - The authorized officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority Law Enforcement Sector conductedseveral actions in the Herzegovina area that resulted in a temporary seizure of 13,6 kilos of gold, a large quantity of wrist-watches and mobile phones. The total market value of those goods was estimated to be BAM 750,000. Those goods were intended for the black market in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority Law Enforcement Sector conducted several well-organized actions in Mostar, Međugorje, Široki Brijeg, Grude, and Ljubuški. The actions resulted in the temporary seizure of the large quantity of gold jewelry, wrist-watches, mobile phones and foreign currency cash. There were neither evidence nor certificates of origin of the goods. The total value of the seized goods intended for the black market in Bosnia and Herzegovina was estimated to be BAM 750,000.
Those activities also resulted in detection of many criminal offences and minor offences based on which there will be submitted reports to the competent prosecution authorities against five persons, as well as requests to the minor offence courts for instituting minor offence court proceedings. All activities are supervised by the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Indirect Taxation Authority seeks the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to report totally anonymously and free of charge any suspicions of illegal trade by using the Law Enforcement Sector Hotline  080 05 06 07.
Photos of seized gold:

Seized Gold (photo 1)

Seized Gold (photo 2)

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June 15, 2007 - The management of the Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina were awardedthe certificates on completion of the training in enhancing the efficiency at the border crossing points. The certificates were awarded by Mr. Luc Steeman, Attaché to the European Commission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The training program was provided by the European Commission and International Organization for Migration.
This program promotes the idea on controlled and safe borders that are open for legal trade and tourism. As Mr. Kemal Čaušević, Director of the Indirect Taxation Authority, pointed out the ITA had from the beginning of the year until now collected into the Single Account BAM 2.2 billion. Similar programs would ensure that the ITA officials are more efficient in collecting revenues.

ITA management were awarded the certificates (photo 1)

ITA management were awarded the certificates (photo 2)

ITA management were awarded the certificates (photo 3)

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June 14, 2007 - Vehicle and passenger traffic at the border crossing Kozarska Dubica – Hrvatska Dubica will be temporarily suspended from June 15 until October 1, 2007 due to ongoing construction works.

For the sake of safety of the passengers crossing the state border it is necessary to suspend all traffic at this border crossing point from June 15 until October 1, 2007. While the construction works are in progress, the citizens from both sides, as well as the passengers who are in transit, can take the neighbouring border crossing points: Gradina-Jasenovac and Kostajnica-Hrvatska Kostajnica.

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June 13, 2007 - The Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina has become the 39th member of the IOTA (Intra-European Organization of Tax Administrations). The ITA became the member of this organization at its 11th General Assembly session held in Varna, in Bulgaria.
The membership of the IOTA offers the ITA personnel numerous opportunities for continuous education abroad through seminars and workshops being held throughout Europe. Thus they will be able to acquire new knowledge and share their experience with other tax administrations.
The Intra-European organization of Tax Administrations is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to the tax administrations of the European countries in raising their work efficiency. The Decision on establishment of the IOTA was brought at the Conference of Central and Eastern European and Baltic Countries’ Tax Administrations held in Warsaw, in October 1996. The International Monetary Fund, European Union, USA and some other international organizations unanimously supported the decision on establishment of the IOTA. The IOTA Headquarters is in Budapest. After the Indirect Taxation Authority joined the Intra-European Organization of Tax Administrations, the organization currently has 39 member tax administrations.
Photos from 11. General Assembly of IOTA:

11. General Assembly of IOTA (photo 1)

11. General Assembly of IOTA (photo 2)

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June 13, 2007 - The authorized officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority Law Enforcement Sector conductedtwo separate actions resulting in temporary seizure of goods worth over BAM 1 million. The goods were intended for the black market in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority at the Izačić border crossing point prevented an attempted illegal importation of 13,000 pairs of counterfeit Nike and Adidas sneakers, as well as 41,000 trademarks of these brands, with the total market value estimated to be BAM 600,000.
In the Herzegovina area the officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority prevented an attempted smuggling of 693 mobile phones and 10 navigation devices into Bosnia and Herzegovina. The market value of those goods was estimated to be BAM 540,000.
At the Izačić border crossing point the officials of the Law Enforcement Sector temporarily seized 13,000 pairs of counterfeit NIKE and ADIDAS sneakers during an attempt of their importing into Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the same time there were detected 41,000 trademarks of the world-renowned brands, as well as a certain quantity of scissors and glue. The total value of the temporarily seized goods was estimated to be BAM 600,000. The authorized officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority Law Enforcement Sector are going to submit the report to the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina against the responsible persons for the purpose of legal protection of industrial property.
The officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority have, together with the State Border Police, prevented and attempted smuggling of technical equipment into Bosnia and Herzegovina on the road Grude-Posušje, in the Herzegovina area. The counterfeit goods included: 693 mobile phones and 10 navigation devices with the market value estimated to be BAM 540,000. The officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority Law Enforcement Sector are going to submit the report to the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina against the responsible persons on the criminal offense of attempted smuggling.
The Indirect Taxation Authority seeks the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to report totally anonymously and free of charge any suspicions of tax evasion by using the Law Enforcement Sector Hotline 080 05 06 07.
Photos of seized goods:

Seized goods (photo 1)

Seized goods (photo 2)

Seized goods (photo 3)

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June 03, 2007 - In May 2007 the Indirect Taxation Authority collected BAM 456 million paid into the Single Account. Since establishment of the ITA this is the biggest revenue amount collected from indirect taxes in one month.
In 2007 the ITA records a constant increase in revenues. During the first five months of 2007 the ITA collected BAM 2 billion paid into the Single Account. The net amount of collected revenue totalling BAM 1.721 billion to be distributed among the beneficiaries remains after deduction of BAM 279 million that the ITA paid to the taxpayers who had a right to the VAT refund.
It is already certain that the revenue foreseen for this year in the amount of BAM 4.140 billion will be exceeded, too. This ambitious plan for 2007 is estimated to be exceeded for BAM 300 million.
The distribution of Single Account revenue is regulated with the Law on Payments into the Single Account and Distribuiton of Revenues, as well as with the Decisions brought by Governing Board on partition coefficient. In the first five months of 2007 the distribution of BAM 258 million from the Single Account revenue among state institutions was conducted in the following way: BAM 999 million to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, BAM 485 million to the Republic of Srpska and BAM 53 million to the Brčko District.

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May 21, 2007 - The officials of the Anti-smuggling Team of the Indirect Taxation Authority – Banja LukaRegional Centre seized temporarily at the Customs Branch Office Izačić a large quantity of counterfeited cosmetic products with the total value of BAM 600,000. Those products were attempted to be imported into Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The following items were among the seized goods: 7,000 pieces of perfumes and 1,000 pieces of different creams of the following trademarks: L’Oreal, Calvin Klein, Dior, Bvlgari, Burberry, Lancôme etc.. This attempt of smuggling caused the intellectual property right infringement and commitment of criminal offence from the stipulated area. There were also temporarily seized 2,900 pairs of sneakers, as well as a large quantity of other non-declared goods. The market value of those counterfeited goods that were seized is estimated to be BAM 600,000. The goods were imported from China and the importer is a legal entity whose owner is a Chinese citizen.
The Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina was informed about the action. Currently the officials of Indirect Taxation Authority are taking measures following the order issued by the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The holders of industrial property right were also informed about it and they are taking measures pursuant to the Law on Industrial Property.
The Indirect Taxation Authority seeks the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to report totally anonymously and free of charge any suspicions of customs or tax evasion by using the Law Enforcement Sector Hotline  080 02 06 07.

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May 16, 2007 - The officials of the Anti-smuggling Team – Indirect Taxation Authority, and the officers of thePolice Security Centre Trebinje temporarily seized 4,220 packs of cigarettes attempted to be smuggled for illegal sale in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The cigarettes were detected in a vehicle "VW Golf" with B&H license plates, in Berkovići on the road Bileća-Stolac.  After thorough search of the vehicle, there were found 4,220 packs of "Memphis" and "Ronhill" cigarettes marked with stamps of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Montenegro. Those cigarettes, intended for illegal sale in Bosnia and Herzegovina, were temporarily seized. The offense procedure against the offender will be initiated at the Basic Court in Trebinje which is competent in this matter.
This is the last attempt in the series of attempts of illicit trafficking of cigarettes in this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Recently, the officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority – Mostar Regional Centre have submitted six reports on the criminal offences of illicit trafficking of cigarettes committed by six individuals. The value of the seized goods in these six cases was estimated to be BAM 50,000.
The Basic Court in Trebinje has already brought five decisions, fined the offenders with  BAM 11,500 and issued a precautionary measure of cigarette seizure.
So far some 16 claims for initiating offense procedures were filed to the competent courts against 17 individuals. A total of 31,902 packs of cigarettes were seized from those individuals.

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May 07, 2007 - The EUMM donated to the Indirect Taxation Authority 26 used vehicles. The hand-over of thevehicles was carried out today, in Sarajevo. This donation will be of considerable support to the ITA and its primary functions: collection and protection of the indirect taxation revenues in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

When established, the ITA lacked transportation capacities. For that reason, at the beginning, the ITA inspectors used their own vehicles for the field trips. In 2006 the ITA purchased a certain number of vehicles but there were not still enough vehicles for efficient functioning of the ITA inspection bodies. The EUMM donation of 26 vehicles will enable the ITA to use its vehicle fleet more effectively and flexibly.

EU-CAFAO has fully supported the EUMM donation of vehicles to the Indirect Taxation Authority.

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