News

  • UK Minister of State for Security visits MAOC-N and takes part in operational exercise with the Portuguese Armed Forces

    UK Minister of State for Security visits MAOC-N and takes part in operational exercise with the Portuguese Armed Forces

    MAOC-N had the honour of hosting a high-level delegation from the United Kingdom (UK), led by the Minister of State for Security, Dan Jarvis, and composed of representatives from the UK’s Home Office and National Crime Agency (NCA). The delegation was received by MAOC-N’s Executive Director, José Ferreira, and Portuguese Executive Board Member, Artur Vaz.…


  • Visit of the Belgian Public Prosecutors’ Office to MAOC (N) Headquarters

    Visit of the Belgian Public Prosecutors’ Office to MAOC (N) Headquarters

    MAOC (N) recently hosted a delegation from the Belgian Public Prosecutors’ Office at its headquarters in Lisbon. The delegation was led by Mr Lode Vandaele, Prosecutor of the King from the Public Prosecution Service of West Flanders. The visit was hosted by the Executive Director, José Ferreira, and was briefed by an analyst on current…


  • MAOC-N hosts a delegation from the Irish Department of Defence

    MAOC-N hosts a delegation from the Irish Department of Defence

    MAOC-N recently hosted a delegation from the Irish Department of Defence, led by Bernie Maguire, Assistant Secretary for Defence & Security Policy. The delegation received an in-depth presentation on the Centre’s work, the ongoing cooperation with Irish authorities, and recent MAOC-N-supported operations, highlighting the latest and most relevant maritime drug-trafficking threats and challenges affecting Europe.…


  • French Navy Intercepts Fishing Vessel Carrying Over Two Tonnes of Cocaine

    French Navy Intercepts Fishing Vessel Carrying Over Two Tonnes of Cocaine

    The French Navy has seized more than two tonnes of cocaine during a counter-narcotics operation in the Caribbean. An intervention unit uncovered 67 bales of cocaine, weighing approximately 2360 kilograms, concealed in the hold of a fishing vessel intercepted off the coast of the French Antilles. French authorities report that more than 31 tonnes of…


  • MAOC-N hosts a visit from the EU Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME)

    MAOC-N hosts a visit from the EU Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME)

    MAOC-N recently welcomed Ms Floriana Sipala, Director for Internal Security and European Commission Counter Terrorism Coordinator, for an official visit to the Centre’s headquarters. During the visit, Ms Sipala was briefed on recent MAOC-N supported operations and on the latest maritime drug-trafficking trends that continue to threaten European borders and internal security. The meeting was…


  • US Ambassador to Portugal Visits MAOC-N Headquarters

    US Ambassador to Portugal Visits MAOC-N Headquarters

    The Ambassador of the United States of America to Portugal, John Joseph Arrigo, was recently received by the Executive Director of MAOC-N at the Centre’s headquarters in Lisbon. During the visit, Ambassador Arrigo was briefed on past and ongoing operations targeting the emergence of new maritime drug-trafficking routes and took part in a discussion focused…