PYROS
24.-27.5. 2023

The Customs Administration of the Czech Republic is a security force and its activities form a part of the customs supervision system in the framework of the single customs territory of the European Union. It implements this supervision on the basis of the uniform customs regulations of the European Union. It assigns goods to a customs-approved treatment, including release into a customs procedure, and assesses and collects customs duties incurred in respect to those goods. Among other activities it ensures control over foreign trade with military materials, implementation of the common agricultural policy of the EU, waste handling, trade in protected species of plants and animals and also the illegal employment of foreigners.

These demonstrations will be presented:

The Special Task Force Group of the General Directorate of Customs will carry out an exercise demonstrating an apprehension of very dangerous individuals smuggling drugs into the Czech Republic. This Customs Task Force Group is trained especially to be able to deal safely with these kinds of situations and it was formed to support the Investigation Division of the General Directorate of Customs. A dangerous individual arrives by car to a specific area to handle the illegal business. After his arrival he contacts his accomplice. Customs specialists are monitoring the perpetrator and act just as he is trying to hand over the illegal goods. They apprehend both individuals and carry out a security personal check. Within this exercise the members of the Customs Authority Special Task Force Group will show the public their abilities including a strategy regarding the vehicle search followed by a transport of apprehended individuals.

Canine Exercise (morning part) – The mobile surveillance unit selects a vehicle to be checked. This selected vehicle is stopped. The vehicle driver is told by the customs officer that the Authorities are looking for goods escaped from customs supervision. The driver is asked to present personal ID card and vehicle related documents. The driver gets aggressive and customs officers are forced to get him out of the vehicle, he is handcuffed and checked whether he is armed. Dog handler with his service dog trained to search for drugs and weapons is called to search the vehicle. The dog checks the outside and inside of the vehicle and indicates place where a weapon and drugs are found. Customs officers transport the dealers for further investigation.

Canine Exercise (Afternoon part) – Customs Administration will demonstrate work of the mobile surveillance units and a dog handler with his defense service dog. The customs mobile unit selects a vehicle to be checked. The vehicle is stopped. The driver is told that the Customs Unit is looking for goods escaped from customs supervision. The driver is asked to present personal ID card and vehicle related documents. The driver gets aggressive and customs officers are forced to get him out of the vehicle, he is handcuffed and checked whether he is armed. The other passenger runs away and so the customs defense dog is sent to stop this individual. During a follow-up search the customs officers locate an armed weapon and both apprehended individuals are transported for further investigation.