OLAF: Technical Assistance for the prevention, detection and investigation of cigarette smuggling

The mission of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is to protect the interests of the European
Union, to fight fraud, corruption and any other irregular activity, including misconduct within the
European institutions. In pursuing this mission in an accountable, transparent and cost-effective
manner, OLAF aims to provide a quality service to the citizens of Europe.

The “HERCULE II” Programme is an EU action Programme to promote activities in the field of
the protection of the EU's financial interests for the period 2007-2013.
The overall objective of this Programme is to provide technical support and expertise to the
competent law enforcement authorities and to support their anti-fraud activities through training
measures, promoting exchanges of specialised staff and the holding of seminars and conferences to reinforce the protection of the EU's financial interests.

The smuggling of cigarettes into the EU results in significant financial losses to the EU budget as well as to the finances of the Member States. Those losses are currently estimated to be €10
billion annually. This call for proposals is an expression of OLAF’s determination to support
activities which will facilitate investigative and operational activities in the fight against
cigarette smuggling.

This call for proposals relates to the Grant Programme “Technical Assistance for Law
Enforcement Agencies Combating Fraud”, as adopted by the Commission in OLAF’s Annual
Work Programme for 2010 under item 24 02 04 01 of the Budget of the European Union “Grant
Programme for Anti-Fraud Measures” as part of the “HERCULE II” Programme and is for the
purchase of equipment used in the prevention, detection and investigation of the smuggling of
illicit consignments of tobacco products. Equipment which may be eligible for financial support
includes, but is not limited to, scanning equipment, audio-visual equipment, tool-kits, endoscopes, analytical software and hardware and scientific instruments for the analysis of tobacco. Equipment used for covert operations is not covered by this call for proposals.