A Joint Customs Operation code-named Matthew II led to the seizure, between November 24 and December 3 2009, of more than 16 million cigarettes, 241 kilograms of tobacco products, 6400 litres of alcohol, 20 tons of counterfeit perfumes, 53.418 other counterfeit items such as bags, coats, scarves, wallets, and 1.515,75 kilograms of cannabis. During the operational phase, additional seizures of more than 25 million cigarettes also took place in some EU ports, the European Commission announced on April 13 2010.

Algirdas Semeta, Commissioner for Taxation, Customs, Anti-fraud and Audit said: "Operations like these show just how important EU customs are in protecting our citizens and businesses, and how good co-ordination can really help us to strike against counterfeit products."

The operation was aimed at detecting the smuggling of cigarettes in commercial consignments entering the EU by road.

Large seizures of cigarettes carried in personal cars and buses were also reported. Controls were focused on means of transport entering the EU customs territory from third countries via the eastern EU border. The operational phase took place from November 24 to December 3 2009.

The operation was organised by the Czech Republic, in close co-operation with Poland and the European Commission's anti-fraud office Olaf which provided organisational and technical support, the EC said in its report on the operation.

All EU member states were invited to participate in the operation, as were Europol and the WCO/RILO WE (World Customs Organisation / Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Western Europe). The WCO/RILO WE supported the joint operation by means of analytical activity. Selected non-EU member states (Croatia, Russia, Serbia, Norway and Switzerland) were also invited to participate in this operation.

Those member states not directly involved in controls at the external border could also participate in the operation by targeting suspected consignments transporting contraband that had evaded detection at the point of entry into the EU. They were also invited to actively participate in exchanging information whenever their country was concerned.

The Matthew II operation was based on an intensive exchange of information leading to intelligence-based targeting of smuggling of cigarettes and tobacco products transported by road vehicles (private cars, trucks and buses).

All participating countries successfully used a specific IT communication tool for the real-time exchange of information and intelligence, the EC said.

It was also the first time that Olaf has made secure internet access available to its communication tool (the Anti-Fraud Information System) for Croatia, Russia and Serbia.

In total, there were 455 transport movement reports communicated by the JCO Matthew II participants.

The operation was coordinated at Olaf headquarters in Brussels via a permanent operational co-ordination unit (POCU) staffed by customs liaison officers from nine EU member states, a liaison officer from Serbia and a liaison officer from Europol.

"Judging by the good results of JCO Matthew II, the operation can be classified as successful," the EC said.

During the operation, there were a total of 100 confiscations.

Most of the seizures related to private cars. In second place were confiscations involving the commercial transportation of goods by truck. Other seizures were made in connection with buses and trains.

The results by type of means of transport confirmed the conclusions of the analysis made by the WCO/RILO WE at the request of the Czech Customs Administration, before the operation started, according to the EC.

During the operational phase of JCO Matthew II all the participants maintained intensive daily contact.

"These contacts led to improved co-operation between participating customs administrations, Olaf, and all other countries and entities taking part (e.g. Europol and the WCO/RILO WE). Such improved co-operation can be effectively used in other JCOs in the future or in day-to-day intelligence exchanges," the EC said.

During the operational phase of Matthew II, liaison officers from Europol checked their own databases to search for any additional or supporting information concerning high-risk means of transport, persons or companies checked by participating customs administrations.

The Europol liaison officers checked 737 entities in total and made 19 positive hits. All hits were immediately relayed to all participating customs administrations so that they could take the appropriate control measures without delay.

"The results of JCO Matthew II can be used as a starting point for other similar operations," the EC said.

Road traffic (especially private cars or trucks) must be classified as high risk. During the operational phase it was found that carriers and drivers had very good knowledge about the technical capacities of various border customs offices.

"They had probably also been making very effective use of mobile phones to vary their original itineraries according to the nature of control activities performed by customs officers," according to the EC.

"Given the successful outcome of JCO Matthew II, and after analysing the effectiveness of the related activities carried out by all participants (including Olaf, Europol and WCO/RILO WE) during all the phases of the operation, the Czech Republic as the co-ordinator of JCO Matthew II recommends organising similar JCOs again in the near future focused on high-value goods carried by road transport," the EC said.