Author: Inês Melo

  • 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…

  • MAOC-N supports Spanish operation that seized 1.400kg of cocaine on a fishing vessel in La Coruña

    MAOC-N supports Spanish operation that seized 1.400kg of cocaine on a fishing vessel in La Coruña

    On 09/08/2023, the Spanish National Police – through its Greco Galicia unit in Pontevedra – intercepted a vessel that arrived at the port of Camariñas, in La Coruña, seizing 1.400 kg of cocaine onboard. The target of Operation Luembo was a 12 meter-long red fishing vessel, named NUEVO FURUNO, which had departed from South America…

  • MAOC-N supports Italian seizure of over 5.3 tonnes of cocaine

    MAOC-N supports Italian seizure of over 5.3 tonnes of cocaine

    MAOC-N has supported a major operation to combat drug trafficking by sea, carried out by the Italian Guardia di Finanza and with the support of the Dutch, French, UK, US, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish authorities. This extraordinary operation has resulted in the arrest of five individuals – an Italian, two Tunisians, a Frenchman, and an…

  • Europol/Interpol Office in Portugal visits MAOC-N

    Europol/Interpol Office in Portugal visits MAOC-N

    Last week, the MAOC-N Analyst Team Leader welcomed Mr. António Morais, Coordinator of the Europol/Interpol Office in Portugal, and Ms. Helena Gravato, Head of National Central Bureau (NCB) Interpol Lisbon, at the Centre’s Headquarters in Lisbon for a collaborative meeting. Both Mr. Morais and Ms. Gravato were accompanied by the Portuguese Country Liaison Officer to…

  • MAOC-N supports French Seizure of 317kg of cocaine near Martinique

    MAOC-N supports French Seizure of 317kg of cocaine near Martinique

    On the evening of 05/07/2023, the French surveillance frigate Ventôse intercepted a sailing vessel off Martinique that was carrying 317 kg of cocaine. The inspection team, along with the specialized maritime intervention team, noted the presence of suspicious bundles on board the vessel, which ultimately tested positive for cocaine. The two crew members, the cargo…

  • An Garda Síochána Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly visits MAOC-N

    An Garda Síochána Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly visits MAOC-N

    On July 7th, Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly from the Irish Organised & Serious Crime (OSC) An Garda Sìochàna, visited the Centre’s Headquarters accompanied by Detective Superintendent Sé McCormack and Detective Superintendent Steven Meighan, from the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau [GNDOCB]. During his visit to MAOC-N, the Assistant Commissioner was briefed on some…

  • High-level Ecuadorian delegation visits MAOC-N

    High-level Ecuadorian delegation visits MAOC-N

    Last week, a high-level Ecuadorian delegation visited MAOC-N to discuss and explore the possibility of establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the near future. Representatives from various Ecuadorian ministries – including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defense, the National Police, the Ecuadorian Prosecutors Office, and EUDEL Ecuador…

  • The EU General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union visits MAOC-N

    The EU General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union visits MAOC-N

    MAOC-N recently welcomed a visit from the EU General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union. During the visit, the EU General Secretariat delegation gained insights into MAOC-N’s operational actions – including recent operations and information sharing to combat drug trafficking and organized crime at sea – and received updates on the latest developments,…

  • U.S Senator Kyrsten Sinema visits MAOC-N

    U.S Senator Kyrsten Sinema visits MAOC-N

    Kyrsten Lea Sinema, a senior United States senator from Arizona, was recently welcomed by the Executive Director of MAOC-N at its Headquarters in Lisbon, to discuss issues related to border security and international counterdrug efforts. During her visit to MAOC-N, the Senator was briefed on some of the Centre’s current operations – with a particular…

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