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MAOC-N Strengthens Ties with Irish Authorities
Last week, the Executive Director of MAOC-N – accompanied by the Irish Country Liaison Officers to the Centre – visited Ireland, with a view to enhancing collaboration with key Irish agencies, and reaffirming the excellent cooperation between the Irish authorities and MAOC-N. During the visit, discussions centered on the country’s strategic importance in fighting maritime…
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MAOC (N) supports French seizure of 885kg of cocaine off the coast of West Africa
On 04/11/2023, the French amphibious helicopter carrier MISTRAL seized 885kg of cocaine on a fishing vessel off the coast of Liberia. The French Navy – working together with the anti-drugs office (OFAST) – managed to secure another important cocaine seizure, in an area that has been particularly problematic in recent years. This large-scale operation was…
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The Australian High Commission in London visits MAOC-N
On 31/10/2023, MAOC-N hosted the Australian High Commission in London at the Centre’s headquarters, which was represented by Detective Sergeant Edwin Windle, from the Australian Federal Police, Mr Matt Rowe, Counsellor from the Australian Border Force, and Mr Aaron Jenkins, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) Liaison Office to London. This was an opportunity for the…
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MAOC-N hosts Executive Board Meeting in Palma de Mallorca
The island of Palma de Mallorca, Spain, played host to the Executive Board meeting of MAOC-N, a critical event aimed at shaping the strategic direction of the Centre. This year, the gathering was organized by the host nation, Spain – in the context of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU and it…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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“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…
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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…






