Declaration of intent
Published 7 April 2025
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The United Kingdom (UK) has signed a landmark declaration of intent with Bulgaria and Romania which unites all three countries in tackling cross-border organised immigration crime and criminal financial flows through central southern Europe.
The UK’s 2002 Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) is a key legislation admired globally for its effectiveness in disrupting illicit cash, commodities and assets. Hundreds of millions of pounds have been seized in recent years through this mechanism, targeting organised criminal groups (OCGs) involved in migrant smuggling, sex and drug trafficking, money laundering, in addition to terrorism financing.
The UK, Bulgaria and Romania will work closely to share best practices and successes from their national legislations since all three have demonstrated remarkable achievements in harming OCGs profits and to further develop their cooperation for tackling financial flows.
We look forward to working together on this issue.
Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP