202 customs officers sued in Algeria

A total of 202 customs officers were arrested for being corrupted by importers and economic operators, customs general inspector said.

• “The arrest comes as part of a counter-corruption campaign led by customs general department,” Abdelmadjid Mehrech told a radio channel.
• “The department adopted a new strategy to counter corruption among customs officers. It is based on banning missions which make them close to importers and operators. They will be replaced by automatic surveillance systems,” he added.
• He also said customs seized more than six tons of cannabis in 2006 while more than 3.5 tons were seized in 2007 compared to 6.5 tons of drugs seized in 2008.
• On the other hand, he mentioned that customs are not responsible for counterfeited goods brought to the national market with brands which have no contract with them.
• “It is not our job to protect the interests of those companies. They must move to protect their activities in the market by suing counterfeiters.”
• He gave the exampled of the British American Tobacco, Marlboro and the Algerian BCR.