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Spanish Authorities Seize Over Half a Tonne of Cocaine in the Atlantic
On 06/02/2025 the Spanish Navy, in coordination with the Spanish National Police, has successfully intercepted a sailing vessel carrying over 600 kilograms of cocaine. The operation, a collaboration between the French (DNRED), UK (NCA), and US (DEA) authorities, targeted maritime drug trafficking. The vessel, flying a Polish flag, was en route to the Canary Islands…
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The Minister of Justice of the Netherlands visits MAOC-N
On 13/02/2025, MAOC-N hosted a visit by a Dutch delegation headed by the Minister of Justice Mr. David Van Weel, also including the Ambassador to Portugal Mrs. Margriet Leemhuis. During the visit, the Minister and the Delegation were briefed about the current situation regarding maritime drug trafficking, with a special focus on the threat related…
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German authorities seize 153kg of cocaine in cargo vessel at Wilhelmshaven
On December 27th, 2024, a joint operation by German authorities resulted in the seizure of approximately 153kg of cocaine on a cargo vessel in Wilhelmshaven. The operation, supported by MAOC-N, involved the cooperation of several German agencies, including customs, border control, and police forces. The 300-metre-long cargo vessel was thoroughly inspected, including the use of…
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General Pierangelo Iannotti, Central Director for Italy’s DCSA, visits MAOC-N
On January 17th, 2025, General Pierangelo Iannotti, the Central Director for Italy’s Anti-Drug Services DCSA (Direzione Centrale per i Servizi Antidroga), visited the Headquarters of MAOC-N in Lisbon. General Ianotti was hosted by the Executive Director of MAOC-N, Sjoerd Top, and briefed by an analyst on the Centre’s current operations and drug trafficking trends via…
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MAOC-N Supports French Operation in the Caribbean – 9 Tonnes of Cocaine Seized
In the early days of 2025, the French Navy forces stationed in the Caribbean deployed their maritime patrol vessel, “La Confiance”, to intercept and board a merchant vessel believed to be carrying a large consignment of cocaine destined for Europe. The French asset successfully intercepted the target approximately 700 nautical miles southeast of Martinique. Following…
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MAOC-N supports Spanish operation in Galicia – over 1 tonne of cocaine seized
In the last days, a joint Spanish operation conducted by the National Police and Guardia Civil, led to the seizure of 1100Kg of cocaine off the Galician coast. By the end of 2024, there had been intelligence indicating that a go-fast type of vessel would depart from Galicia, with the objective of collecting a significant…
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Portuguese Authorities Seize Nearly 3.5 Tonnes of Cocaine Hidden in Banana Pallets
The Portuguese Judicial Police (PJ) has successfully dismantled a major drug trafficking operation, seizing 3.458 tonnes of cocaine hidden in pallets of bananas. The drugs were found during a search at a Portuguese port, concealed inside boxes of bananas packed on several pallets, and transported in the holds of a cargo ship that regularly transports…
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Over 3.3 Tonnes of Cocaine Seized from Venezuelan Fishing Vessel off Canary Islands
On 07/12/2024, Spanish authorities intercepted over 3.300 kg of cocaine aboard a Venezuelan-flagged fishing vessel West of the Canary Islands. Officers from the Spanish Customs Surveillance Special Operations Vessel PETREL boarded the vessel, arresting ten crew members on board—nine Venezuelan nationals and one Colombian national—and seizing 110 bales of cocaine. The operation, which was supported…
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Over 1.6 Tonnes of Cocaine Intercepted in High-Seas International Operation
In a coordinated international effort, Portuguese authorities intercepted a fishing vessel carrying over 1.6 tonnes of cocaine in international waters, west of Cape Verde. The Brazilian-flagged fishing vessel, with a crew of six Brazilian nationals, had been initially flagged by the Brazilian Federal Police, which was key to the outcome of the whole operation. Indeed,…
maritime analysis and operations centre
(Narcotics)
maritime analysis and operations centre
(Narcotics)
maritime analysis and operations centre
(Narcotics)