Law enforcement authorities have struck significant blows against organised crime following the implementation of FBI expert recommendations to create a multi-agency strike team, according to a recent government report.
The task force, established with American guidance, has completed two serious cases that are now before the courts, with a third investigation in its final stages.
In one case, authorities uncovered an illegal operations network. They seized more than half a million euros, while in the second, they dismantled a money laundering operation fronted by legitimate businesses, confiscating luxury vehicles worth tens of thousands of euros and over €200,000 in cash.
The task force comprises representatives from all relevant agencies (Police, Tax Department, Customs, MOKAS and others) and is mandated to investigate serious organised crime cases.
The approach unifies intelligence gathering and operational planning to prevent fragmentation and duplication of efforts.
The unit was established following instructions from the President based on recommendations by an FBI expert team that visited Cyprus after the Cyprus Confidential investigation was published.
The government had requested American assistance in investigating potential involvement of Cypriot legal or natural persons in sanctions evasion and wealth concealment by oligarchs.
The creation of the task force represents one of the government’s key initiatives against organised crime. According to information obtained by Phileleftheros, the next development will be further measures to strengthen supervisory and law enforcement authorities (Police, MOKAS, Tax Commissioner, Customs, and other services) against financial crime.
The report indicates that the key breakthrough came when FBI experts determined that crime investigations are most effective when agencies collaborate and sometimes operate jointly, exchanging and evaluating important information such as the rapid and unexplained acquisition of assets, unusual money movements, and other indicators.
“Follow the money” was the American experts’ directive to Cypriot officials. They noted that an individual’s lifestyle should be consistent with their financial capacity; any discrepancy provides the first indication for investigation.
Specifically, they pointed out that in organised crime cases, the financial circumstances of involved individuals or companies should be investigated, noting it is illogical for a suspect to present themselves as salaried with a monthly income of €1,000 while driving a €100,000 car.
The government is also determined to implement drastic changes in the Central Prisons, both to combat crime incubating in cells and to address administrative problems including lack of cooperation and inefficiency.
