Latvia launches Tax and customs police

Latvia has established a new Tax and Customs Police to investigate tax evasion, smuggling, and other financial crimes, transferring oversight from the State Revenue Service to the Ministry of the Interior for closer alignment with national law enforcement. The reform aims to strengthen cooperation with security agencies, modernize financial crime enforcement, and ensure compliance with both national and EU standards.

Since the start of the year, Latvia has introduced a new institution – the Tax and Customs Police – tasked with the country’s ability to investigate tax and customs-related crimes. The Tax and Customs Police will focus on tackling tax evasion, smuggling, and other financial crimes. Oversight has shifted from the State Revenue Service to the Ministry of the Interior, ensuring closer alignment with national law enforcement structures.

The new body is expected to work more effectively with other police and security agencies. Previously, tax and customs investigations were handled by the Tax and Customs Police Department within the State Revenue Service. The creation of a separate institution reflects the government’s commitment to reinforcing the fight against economic crime and ensuring compliance with both national and EU regulations. Officials emphasize that the reform is designed to modernize Latvia’s approach to financial crime, ensuring that the country remains aligned with European standards while protecting state revenue and fair competition.