OPERATION STORBJORN - TACKLING THE TRADE IN BLACK MARKET VODKA

The Government of Ahvaland has today announced a new initiative to tackle the trade in black market vodka. For many years the country has been awash with cheap alcohol smuggled from the former Soviet Union by Russian criminal gangs. This not only deprives the Treasury of much needed revenue, but the high consumption of alcohol has a detrimental effect on the health and welfare of our citizens. According to a study carried out by respected feminist academic, Professor Elina Bager, alcohol-related domestic violence has increased steadily in the last 10 years and the President has now taken a personal interest in the issue. The President met with National Police Service Commissioner, Ms Gilla Ekstrom, on Monday 1st February 2016 and the matter was discussed at length. Following a meeting of the President's Council on Wednesday 3rd February the President formally instructed the National Police Service to give the issue top priority and to use all resources at its disposal to tackle the problem.

Operation Storbjorn, was launched at a press conference at National Police Headquarters in Fredrikastad earlier today. It will be co-ordinated by Chief Superintendent Gerda Ahlberg GCM and will initially run for 12 months.