Law enforcement powers of the customs administration within the scope of combating smuggling

The Customs Enforcement Organization, established in 1859, is a law enforcement agency whose core responsibility is to combat smuggling and ensure the public order and security of customs areas. In the study, the law enforcement authorities of the customs administration were examined. The challenges encountered in the course of employing these enforcements, the rights and responsibilities of the authorities, the legal basis of these enforcements, and the relationship of the customs administration with other law enforcement units have been addressed. Customs smuggling has become a crucial problem for international trade, state economies, security, and public health, occurring subsequent to the delineation of national borders. Therefore, in order to combat customs smuggling, the Customs Administration plays a vital role in preventing and eradicating smuggling, attempted smuggling, and related crimes. In this context, the customs administration controls the activities at the border gates and ports by using its law enforcement authorities, investigates the vehicles, people, and goods entering and leaving, and ensures the implementation of the tax, customs, and other legal regulations. It is considered that the efficient use of the law enforcement authorities of the customs administration can contribute to the economy and security of the country. In this regard, an examination was conducted to enhance the competence and expertise of customs personnel, and identify the problems encountered in the performance of duties, enforcements, and responsibilities of the customs administration, especially in defining law enforcement duties, and organizational changes within the scope of the administrative/judicial law enforcement distinction, to address the problems experienced in the execution of law enforcement duties and what actions should be taken to eliminate the aforementioned problems.