Angolan Customs Service
2009
WORK AREA PLAN
MOBILE SUPPORT GROUP (MSG)
ONDJIVA - NAMIBE REGION
This Work Area Plan has been
produced by
Stuart Millen
MSG Consultant
and approved by
Sr______________
MSG National Co-Ordinator
Date
Introduction
The Ondjiva based Mobile Support Group (MSG) is a dedicated anti-smuggling team that provides a secondary level of control to Customs Activities in the Namibe Region.
The Customs Code legislates that our activities can be undertaken in the all of the Customs Territory of Angola which is the area that Angola claims sovereign rights to.
This is made up of the Primary Zone (Customs Controlled Areas such as Delegations and Border Posts) and the Secondary Zone (Anywhere beyond the border)
Our area of operations is extremely large and includes the southern coastal area of Angola as well as the entire southern border with Namibia. We provide support to three Customs Delegations namely Namibe, Lubango and Santa Clara.
As we are based in Ondjiva 40 kilometres north of the Santa Clara border crossing it is natural that the majority of our activities will be focused on the Santa Clara area as this is the country’s busiest and highest revenue yielding land border crossing.
Our variety of work is varied as our area of operations includes
2 International Seaports ( Namibe and Tombua)
1 International Airport (Lubango)
9 Land Border Crossings (Calueque, Ruacana, Marker 12.5, Marker 10, Marker 9, Santa Clara, Katuitui, Macusso and Boabwata)
2 River Border Crossings (Calueque and Calai) and
All Roads leading from the border into the interior.
When fully staffed the MSG consists of four Customs Officers and five Fiscal Police Officers who perform the same duties together as one unit rather than two organisations working independently side by side. This working relationship is unique. Success of this working relationship in the MSG’s could form the basis of a future amalgamation.
Customs Strategies
The Angolan Customs Border Strategy 2004-2006 recommended the implementation of Mobile Support Groups to deal with short term threats to the border.
Our role directly contributes to objectives identified in the Angola Customs Strategic Plan 2007- 2012 those being: 38
Tax Issues – Ensuring the collection of due revenue while facilitating legitimate trade and
Protection of Society – Interception of prohibited imports and exports
Our daily activities fulfil the 2009 Customs Business Plan objectives of: 39 1. Revenue
Aim - Collect amount due at the right time from indirect taxes
2. Control of Persons, Goods and Means of Transport
Aim: Guarantee the entry or exit from Angola, of persons, goods and means of transport carried out in accordance with the customs procedures and legislation
38
Objectives as stated in the English translation of the Angola Customs Strategic Plan 2007-2012
39
3. Protecting the Society
Aim: Prevent import and export of prohibited and restricted goods by applying targeted controls based on risks and
4. Human Resources
Aim: To develop a professional and motivated workforce distributed in the context of the support of national objectives.
Core Business
On any given day an MSG officer working at or near Santa Clara may be required to
Intercept vehicles, goods and people.
Analyze commercial documentation prior to, and after presentation to the delegation for entry and clearance.
Make risk based decisions to examine vehicles goods and people
Conduct examinations of commercial cargo, vehicles and people
Undertake strategic operations in the primary and secondary zones.
Undertake tactical response operations in the primary and secondary zones.
Gather information and provide feedback to Intelligence officers
Report identified discrepancies and suspicions of fraud related to Pre-Shipment Inspection reports.
On a regular basis an MSG officer will participate in
Covert and overt land patrols throughout our area of operations to provide both strategic and tactical support to the delegations and posts.
In the future once equipment has been purchased and appropriate protocols concluded it is anticipated that the MSG will conduct joint border patrols with our Namibian counterparts such as:
Customs Business Plan
Revenue
Aim - Collect amount due at the right time from indirect taxes
Mobile Support Group Objective 1
To raise USD 10 Million intercepting smuggled, undeclared, undervalued and mis-described goods Strategy 1.1
Use Risk Assessment and Various Information Sources to identify consignments that pose a high risk to the revenue
Ref Actions Measures Timeframe Responsibility
1.1.1 Screen consignments of cargo at border posts for revenue risks as they enter Angola.
No of consignments screened No of consignments selected for examination Ongoing Monthly Reporting All Team Members Team Leader 1.1.2
Visit truck parking areas to screen consignments for revenue risks
No of visits to truck parks No of consignments selected for examination Ongoing Monthly Reporting All Team Members Team Leader 1.1.3 Screen commercial entries
and accompanying documentation after lodgement
No of entries screened No of entries selected for examination Ongoing Monthly Reporting All Team Members Team Leader 1.1.4 Conduct pre-arrival
screening of ships and aircraft manifests
No of manifests screened No of consignments selected for examination
As Required All Team Members
Strategy 1.2
Use electronic systems to target future high risk revenue consignments
Ref Actions Measures Timeframe Responsibility
1.2.1 Prepare and submit to Intelligence risk profiles requests for offenders exceeding USD 25,000 revenue evasion
No of risk profile requests submitted to Intelligence No of profiles triggered Ongoing Monthly Reporting All Team Members Team Leader 1.2.2 Prepare and submit to
Intelligence risk profile requests for suppliers identified producing receipts with incorrect values or quantities
No of risk profile requests submitted to Intelligence No of profiles triggered Ongoing Monthly Reporting All Team Members Team Leader Strategy 1.3
Complete physical examinations and all reporting to a high standard
Ref Actions Measures Timeframe Responsibility
1.3.1 Conduct physical examinations in accordance with written procedures No of examinations No of positive examinations Ongoing Monthly Reporting All Team Members Team Leader 1.3.2 Complete Seizure Documentation with calculations of estimated additional revenue No of Seizures
Estimated Additional Revenue
Ongoing Monthly Reporting All Team Members Team Leader 1.3.3 Complete Information
Reports for all revenue offenses No of Information Reports Ongoing Monthly All Team Members
Reporting Team Leader 1.3.4 Obtain official additional
revenue statistics from delegation
Statistics Obtained Monthly Arao and Manuel
1.3.5
Prepare Monthly Report with additional revenue statistics
Report Completed Additional Revenue for the month
Additional Revenue for year to date
Monthly USD USD
Team Leader
Customs Business Plan
Control of persons, goods and means of transport
Aim: Guarantee the entry or exit from Angola, of persons, goods and means of transport carried out in accordance with the customs procedures and legislation
Mobile Support Group Objective 2
To ensure that all movements of people, goods and transport have been done according to customs procedures and legislation.
Strategy 2.1
Conduct concentrated operations at fixed points intercepting people, goods and vehicles departing or avoiding custom controlled areas.
Ref Actions Measures Timeframe Responsibility
2.1.1 Intercept people attempting to avoid customs control on foot through the “neutral zone” No of operations No of people intercepted No of examinations No of seizures Ongoing Monthly Reporting
All Team Members Team Leader 2.1.2
Intercept people moving goods in Santa Clara truck parking area No of operations No of people intercepted No of examinations No of seizures Ongoing Monthly Reporting
All Team Members Team Leader 2.1.3
Intercept people moving goods through Santa Clara border post No of operations No of people intercepted No of examinations No of seizures Ongoing Monthly Reporting
All Team Members Team Leader 2.1.4
Intercept people at Santa Clara green channel exit
No of operations No of people intercepted No of examinations No of seizures Ongoing Monthly Reporting
All Team Members Team Leader 2.1.5
Intercept vehicles and trucks passing through Santa Clara border post
No of operations No of interceptions No of examinations No of seizures Ongoing Monthly Reporting
All Team Members Team Leader 2.1.6
Intercept trucks departing Santa Clara truck park
No of operations No of interceptions No of examinations No of seizures Ongoing Monthly Reporting
All Team Members Team Leader 2.1.7
Conduct bi-monthly visits to Katuitui border post
No of operations No of interceptions No of examinations No of seizures
30 Jun 09
31 Dec 09 Team Leader 2.1.8
Conduct 3 monthly visits to other border posts
No of operations No of interceptions No of examinations No of seizures
30 Jun 09
31 Dec 09 Team Leader 2.1.9 Conduct 6 monthly visits to
Lubango and Namibe
No of operations
No of examinations No of seizures
Strategy 2.2
Conduct roadblock operations intercepting people, goods and vehicles outside of customs controlled areas.
Ref Actions Measures Timeframe Responsibility
2.2.1
Intercept trucks attempting to pass through Namacunde No of operations No of interceptions No of examinations No of seizures Ongoing Monthly Reporting
All Team Members Team Leader 2.2.2 Conduct overnight roadblock operations at various locations No of operations No of interceptions No of examinations No of seizures Ongoing Monthly Reporting
All Team Members Team Leader
Strategy 2.3
Respond to reported breeches of custom control
Ref Actions Measures Timeframe Responsibility
2.3.1
Pursue trucks that have departed without receiving customs release note
No of pursuits No of confirmed breeches No of seizures As Required Monthly Reporting All Team Members Team Leader
Customs Business Plan
Protecting the society
Aim: Prevent import and export of prohibited and restricted goods by applying targeted controls based on risks
Mobile Support Group Objective 3
To intercept prohibited goods through risk based targeting Strategy 3.1
Use Risk Assessment and Various Information Sources to identify consignments that pose a high risk for PI’s and PE’s
Ref Actions Measures Timeframe Responsibility
3.1.1 Screen consignments of cargo at border posts for PI/PE risks as they enter and leave Angola.
No of consignments screened No of consignments selected for examination Ongoing Monthly Reporting
All Team Members Team Leader 3.1.2
Visit truck parking areas to screen consignments for PI’s risks
No of visits to truck parks No of consignments selected for examination
Ongoing Monthly Reporting
All Team Members Team Leader 3.1.3 Screen commercial entries
and accompanying documentation after lodgement
No of entries screened No of entries selected for examination
Ongoing Monthly Reporting
All Team Members Team Leader 3.1.4 Conduct pre-arrival
screening of ships and aircraft manifests for PI’s
No of manifests screened No of consignments selected for examination
As Required All Team Members 3.1.5 Read all intelligence
produced documents related to recent seizures and international trends
No of documents signed as
Strategy 3.2
Use electronic systems to target future high risk PI/PE consignments
Ref Actions Measures Timeframe Responsibility
3.2.1 Prepare and submit to Intelligence risk profiles requests for entities known to be involved with the importation or exportation of PI’s or PE’s
No of risk profile requests submitted to Intelligence No of profiles triggered Ongoing Monthly Reporting All Team Members Team Leader 3.2.2 Produce detailed
information reports for Intelligence regarding PI’s/PE’s No of information reports submitted to Intelligence Ongoing Monthly Reporting All Team Members Team Leader
Customs Business Plan
Human Resources
Aim: To develop a professional and motivated workforce distributed in the context of the support of national objectives
Mobile Support Group Objective 4
To improve the levels of professionalism and integrity of officers Strategy 4.1
To increase the knowledge of Team Members through Training
Ref Actions Measures Timeframe Responsibility
4.1.1 Complete Annual Training Needs Analysis (TNA)
TNA completed and submitted
to Human Resources 30 Jun 09 Team Leader 4.1.2 Ensure all officers aware
of upcoming training events
Training Plan on display Ongoing Team Leader 4.1.3 Ensure all officers attend
relevent training courses by inclusion in monthly work plan
Training included in monthly plan
No training days per officer
Ongoing Team Leader
Strategy 4.2
To embrace integrity as a symbol for our team
Ref Actions Measures Timeframe Responsibility
4.2.1 Officers attend integrity seminars proved by Staff Irregularities Unit (SIU)
No of officers attending
seminars 15 Feb 09
All Team Members 4.2.2 Officers read the customs
integrity policy and sign the service declaration
Policy read and Declaration
signed 01 Mar 09
All Team Members 4.2.3
All bribery attempts to be officially reported No of attempts reported No of reports to management As Required Monthly Reporting All Team Members Team Leader 4.2.4 Respond to reports of officers lack of integrity
No of reports received No of referrals to Staff Irregularities
As required Team Leader 4.2.4 To raise the issue of
integrity on a regular basis at team briefings
No of briefings including
Strategy 4.3
Strengthen Adherence to Administrative Controls and Responsibilities
Ref Actions Measures Timeframe Responsibility
4.3.1 Maintain and Update work area management profile
for all staff related attendance and performance issues
All daily, weekly and monthly checks completed as per documented management profile plan Ongoing Team Leader All Team Members 4.3.2
Complete quarterly staff appraisals
Appraisals signed by officer and submitted to Head of Delegation
31 Mar 09 30 Jun 09 30 Sep 09 31 Dec 09
Team Leader
4.3.3 Complete Annual Training Needs Analysis (TNA)
TNA completed and submitted