The goods stolen total to tens of millions of euros. Companies have agreed to collaborate in order to draw both public and authorities' attention to organized crime, the impact on market and the coincidence of cases.
Seven Latvian-based companies have united, and others who have experienced or witnessed large-scale theft in recent years have been invited to join. Among the affected businesses are IT product wholesalers "Elko Group", "CMNO Logica", "Euro DK", retailer "Baltic Data", manufacturer "MikroTik", electronics trader "SLO Latvia" and transport and logistics services provider "Beweship Latvia".
"As long as we solve our issues individually, we don't see the whole picture and we are powerless. It's like a dragon which grows three heads in place of one that is chopped off," said Sven Dinsdorf, director of the Elko Group.
"It was only when we began to talk publicly about the incident in our warehouse that we found out we were not the only ones. The information makes it possible to see coincidences that could help detect crimes, as well as prevent them from happening in the future," Dinsdorf said.
Most of the crimes are linked to warehouses in remote locations and the burglaries were carried out in stages. First, security testing is carried out on gates and other entrances. Second, thieves enter the building and damage cameras and sensors. Finally, there is the invasion and theft itself.
Formal letters to government representatives are also being prepared to update the impact of organized crime offences on the economy, and to draw the attention of senior officials of the State authorities.
