Erfurt (dpa/th) - Thuringia, following the example of other federal states, is expanding the powers of customs. This is provided for in an FDP draft law that was passed by a majority in the state parliament on Friday with a number of changes. Only the AfD abstained from voting. This means that customs officials can now always carry out official police actions if the police cannot be there or cannot be there in time.
The FDP justified its draft law with the fact that customs officers had no special powers to seize drugs and stolen goods and had to wait for the police. It is also problematic if customs officials come across a criminal who is wanted during their routine checks. The so-called express competence of customs officials has now been formally regulated by law.
