At the invitation of Commanding General Saverio Capolupo, WCO Deputy Secretary General Sergio Mujica visited Italy’s Guardia di Finanza on 19 and 20 May 2015.

On the first day, Mr. Mujica met with Commanding General Capolupo and his management team at Guardia di Finanza Headquarters in Rome. A wide range of topics of mutual interest were discussed, with special focus on the latest developments in respect of the WCO Strategic Plan and the various projects currently underway within the Guardia di Finanza.

During the meeting, Commanding General Capolupo presented the wide range of law enforcement activities conducted by the Guardia di Finanza, highlighting the efficiency of its comprehensive control system. Deputy Secretary General Mujica expressed his appreciation for the Guardia di Finanza’s ongoing cooperation with the WCO and encouraged it to continue sharing its knowledge and best practices in tackling economic crime, especially in the area of financial investigations. Other potential areas of future cooperation were also discussed.

On the second day, the Deputy Secretary General visited the Guardia di Finanza’s Operational Naval Air Command in Pratica di Mare, where he was briefed on the important operations conducted at sea to tackle drug trafficking, illicit trafficking of cigarettes and illegal immigration, these operations being carried out in close cooperation with major international partners. The complex tools used to tackle such significant challenges were presented, along with part of the Guardia di Finanza’s aircraft fleet. Mr. Mujica also visited the Frontex Operative Centre based within the Guardia di Finanza Command.

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WCO Deputy Secretary General Sergio Mujica and Commanding General Saverio Capolupo meet at the Guardia di Finanza Headquarters in Rome, Italy, on 19 and 20 May 2015.