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MAOC (N) welcomes its new Executive Director, Jose Ferreira
MAOC (N) is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Executive Director, Jose Ferreira. Ferreira, a Criminal Investigation Coordinator in the Portuguese Judicial Police, brings almost 27 years of experience in law enforcement, including extensive leadership of investigative and intelligence teams dedicated to tackling international drug trafficking. With a long-standing connection to MAOC (N),…
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Belgian Ambassador Visits MAOC (N) Headquarters
On 5 September 2025, the MAOC (N) Executive Director hosted the Ambassador of Belgium to Portugal, H.E. Bart Lammens, at the Centre’s headquarters in Lisbon. The visit also marked the official start of duty of the new Belgian Liaison Officer to MAOC (N), Evert de Trogh, who took up his post on 1 September. Also…
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MAOC-N Hosts New Zealand Customs Delegation at the Centre’s Headquarters
The Executive Director of MAOC-N recently welcomed Rebecca Jonassen, of the New Zealand Customs, to the Centre’s Headquarters in Lisbon. Ms. Jonassen received a comprehensive briefing from a Senior Analyst on the Centre’s activities and operational framework. The visit aimed to strengthen ties between MAOC-N and New Zealand authorities and to explore opportunities for enhanced…
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French Navy Seizes Nearly Six Tonnes of Cocaine off West African Coast
On 29 August, the French Navy intercepted a fishing vessel in international waters off the coast of West Africa, seizing 5919 kg of cocaine. The operation was carried out at the request of the French authorities (OFAST) and followed intelligence provided by the UK (NCA) and US authorities (DEA), with the support of MAOC-N and…
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Over two and a half tonnes of cocaine seized by the Spanish Authorities in a Joint Operation supported by MAOC-N
On August 8, the Surveillance Services of the Spanish Customs (DAVA) and the Spanish Civil Guard conducted a maritime operation, with the support of the Spanish Armada, that resulted in the interception of the vessel SKY WHITE in international waters West of the Canary Islands, Spain. A total of 80 bales of cocaine – weighing…
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French Authorities Seize Over 4 Tonnes of Cocaine in Joint Operation Supported by MAOC (N)
On Saturday, 12 July, the French authorities successfully intercepted and boarded a vessel in international waters during a maritime counter-narcotics operation supported by MAOC (N). During the search, the boarding team uncovered 153 bales, weighing a total of 4841kg – almost five tonnes of cocaine – representing a significant disruption to the ever-evolving dynamics of…
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MAOC (N) Supports Portuguese Authorities in Seizure of 263 kg of Cocaine in the Atlantic
The Polícia Judiciária (PJ), with the support of the Portuguese Navy and Portuguese Air Force, has intercepted a 14-metre sailing vessel in the Atlantic Ocean carrying approximately 263kg of cocaine. The vessel was travelling from Latin America to Europe when it was located and boarded in international waters. After the interception, the vessel was escorted…
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French Authorities Seize 900 Kg of Cocaine and 180 Kg of Methamphetamine in Nuku Hiva (Polynesia)
Last week, French customs (DNRED) carried out a major drug seizure on board a sailing vessel that had made a stopover in Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia. Following a thorough search, officers discovered a substantial quantity of drugs on board, totalling 900 kilograms of cocaine and 180 kilograms of methamphetamine, reportedly destined for Australia. It is…
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Irish Authorities Seize 440kg of Cocaine off the Coast of Cork, Ireland
In a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks, Irish authorities have seized 440kg of cocaine following a coordinated maritime interdiction operation off the coast of Cork, Ireland. The drugs were offloaded from a suspected mother vessel — a 200-metre bulk carrier arriving from South America — and collected at sea by a go-fast, which…