Economic Transaction Control Forces to hold 39,300 inspections in 2026

More than 39,000 inspections and investigations are scheduled to be carried out this year by the new Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) directorate, known as DEOS, targeting cases of financial crime, corruption, smuggling, and customs fraud.

According to AADE’s 2026 Operational Plan, the Maritime Control Unit will also undertake at least 400 inspections, including 60 using the Customs Service’s anti-smuggling vessels, primarily targeting fuel smuggling, as well as 18 enforcement operations using ROV underwater drones.

The new General Directorate of Economic Transaction Control Forces (DEOS) aims to establish unified management of financial crime cases, placing emphasis on investigations, the dismantling of criminal networks, targeted and coordinated field inspections with immediate intervention, and the use of advanced digital tools, technology, and enforcement means. The new audit service will also be responsible for detecting undeclared labor and broader violations of labor and social security legislation, with corresponding reporting to the Labor Inspectorate.

DEOS is tasked with the early detection of financial crime and illegal capital movements, leveraging data and information systems to optimize the analysis and evaluation of intelligence and complaints. It will also strengthen cooperation with international organizations such as Europol, INTERPOL, and OLAF to facilitate the rapid transmission of critical information to operational units.

At least 39,300 inspections and investigations in 2026

Under AADE’s Operational Plan, DEOS will proceed with:

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At least 4,500 inspections and investigations aimed at combating financial crime, corruption, smuggling, and customs fraud, including:

• 250 inspections related to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) licensing framework
• 153 inspections targeting corruption involving public officials
• 163 inspections concerning compliance with legislation governing subsidies, grants, and financing from national and EU resources
• 218 intellectual property protection inspections
• 1,150 inspections related to compliance with rules governing the circulation of products and the provision of services
• 800 inspections aimed at combating money laundering and recovering assets and capital derived from criminal activity
• 900 inspections related to compliance with labor and social security legislation
• 600 enforcement inspections targeting the illegal trafficking of narcotics, weapons, explosives, precursor and psychotropic substances, hazardous materials, antiquities, and cultural goods
• At least 266 other specialized inspections

At least 8 investigations focused on dismantling organized financial crime networks

18,000 preventive partial on-site inspections, including:

• 16,500 partial on-site inspections in targeted geographic areas, sectors of business activity, or selected taxpayer identification numbers (VAT IDs)
• 1,500 specialized targeted inspections in business sectors considered at high risk for tax evasion and fraud

900 investigations targeting tax evasion and intra-community VAT fraud

At least 1,000 post-clearance customs document audits

At least 14,500 enforcement inspections by Mobile Control Units, including:

• 8,055 enforcement inspections involving excise-duty products, namely tobacco products, liquid fuels and other energy products, using findings from the input-output monitoring system, as well as alcoholic beverages
• 280 enforcement inspections targeting counterfeit products
• 6,165 enforcement inspections in other sectors, including vehicles, coffee products, narcotics, and electronic cigarettes

At least 400 inspections by the Maritime Control Unit, including 60 using Customs Service anti-smuggling vessels focused primarily on combating fuel smuggling, as well as 18 enforcement operations using ROV underwater drones.