Year: 2023

  • MAOC-N supports French seizure of 2.4 tonnes off the coast of West Africa

    MAOC-N supports French seizure of 2.4 tonnes off the coast of West Africa

    On 21/09/2023, the French surveillance frigate Ventôse seized 2.4 tonnes of cocaine on a fishing vessel off the coast of West Africa. This large-scale operation was carried out on the basis of an investigation by the Brazilian Federal Police in cooperation with the British National Crime Agency (NCA) and the US authorities, in coordination with…

  • EU-WCO Colibri Project visits MAOC-N

    EU-WCO Colibri Project visits MAOC-N

    A delegation from the EU-WCO Colibri Project recently visited the Centre’s Headquarters. The main topic on the agenda was to boost discussions surrounding the potential establishment of a Cooperation Agreement between the two entities, while also delving into best practices pertaining to general aviation. This meeting marks a significant step in enhancing international collaboration to…

  • Joint operation between the Brazilian Federal Police and the Brazilian Navy seizes 3.6 tonnes of cocaine in the Atlantic

    Joint operation between the Brazilian Federal Police and the Brazilian Navy seizes 3.6 tonnes of cocaine in the Atlantic

    On 19/09/2023, joint operation “Ágata Nordeste” – carried out by the Brazilian Federal Police and the Brazilian Navy – resulted in the maritime interdiction of a fishing vessel transporting 3.6 tonnes of cocaine on board. The Brazilian flagged vessel, named PALMARES 1, was interdicted off the coast of Recife (Brazil) with 5 crew members on…

  • Vice-Admiral Juan Ricardo Rozo Obregón of the Colombian Navy visits MAOC-N

    Vice-Admiral Juan Ricardo Rozo Obregón of the Colombian Navy visits MAOC-N

    Vice-Admiral Juan Ricardo Rozo Obregón, Second Commander in Chief of the Estado Mayor of the Colombian Navy, was recently received by the Executive Director of MAOC-N at the Centre’s Headquarters in Lisbon. The Colombian delegation was briefed by one of MAOC-N’s intelligence analysts on its recent activities and operations, with a view to strengthening and…

  • “Everything else gets dropped when MAOC calls” says Irish Newspaper ‘The Journal’

    “Everything else gets dropped when MAOC calls” says Irish Newspaper ‘The Journal’

    MAOC-N has been recently featured in the Irish newspaper “The Journal”, following an extensive interview with the Executive Director at the Centre’s Headquarters in Lisbon. The article, titled “Fishing boat owners turning to work with drug trafficking gangs to deal with financial pressures,” underscores the collective approach taken by MAOC-N and its partner countries, namely…

  • The Ambassador of Denmark to Portugal visits MAOC-N

    The Ambassador of Denmark to Portugal visits MAOC-N

    The Ambassador of Denmark to Portugal, Ms. Maria Tarp, was recently received by the Executive Director of MAOC-N, Mr. Sjoerd Top, at the Centre’s headquarters in Lisbon. Ambassador Tarp was briefed by the Analyst Team Leader on some of the Centre’s past and current operations, with a particular focus on the vulnerabilities in the Gulf…

  • 2700 kg of cocaine seized in a large-scale international operation supported by MAOC-N

    2700 kg of cocaine seized in a large-scale international operation supported by MAOC-N

    In recent days the Spanish National Police has conducted a maritime operation resulting in the seizure of 2.7 tonnes of cocaine on board a sailing vessel, intercepted approximately 600nm south-west of the Canary Islands. This far-reaching operation involved the collaboration of law enforcement agencies from Brazil, Croatia, France, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain and Slovenia, targeting…

  • MAOC-N featured in the French newspaper ‘Libération’

    MAOC-N featured in the French newspaper ‘Libération’

    Following an interview on May 2023, the French newspaper “Libération” has written an article featuring the Centre’s work in combating maritime drug trafficking. Among other remarks, the article says: «En quinze ans d’existence, l’agence a été impliquée dans la saisie de près de 312 tonnes de cocaïne (valeur marchande estimée à 21 milliards d’euros), dont…

  • MAOC-N featured in the Irish Examiner

    MAOC-N featured in the Irish Examiner

    Following Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly’s visit to MAOC-N’s HQ back in July, the newspaper “Irish Examiner” has written an article featuring the Centre’s work in combating maritime drug trafficking. Among other remarks, Assistant Commissioner Kelly shares his views on “the analytical capability of the agency, in how vessels of interest are identified, as well as…

  • MAOC-N supports Spanish seizure of 700kg of cocaine in the Atlantic

    MAOC-N supports Spanish seizure of 700kg of cocaine in the Atlantic

    In the early hours of 05/08/2023, the Spanish Civil Guard boarded a sailing vessel named ROSSIO at approximately 500 nautical miles of Gran Canaria, Spain, under Operation “Adriatica”. The interception resulted in the seizure of 700kg of cocaine. There were two crew members on board the vessel – both of Italian nationality – who were…