Author: Inês Melo

On his way to Vienna to attend a side event held in the margins of the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the Director of Counternarcotics of the Colombian Navy visited MAOC-N in Lisbon, hosted by the Centre’s Executive Director and Head of Operations. The visit highlighted the longstanding and…

MAOC (N), in cooperation with the Portuguese authorities and the Portuguese Institute for Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (ICAD), will co-organise a side event during the sixty-ninth session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), taking place in Vienna from 9–13 March 2026. The event will focus on strengthening international cooperation and operational coordination in tackling…

MAOC-N is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Head of Operations, Jean-Damien Moustier. With more than 26 years of experience in law enforcement, Mr. Moustier brings extensive operational and international expertise in the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking. A senior officer of the French National Police, he has held a number…

The Centre was pleased to welcome the new Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Europe Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Marissa Lee, on an official visit yesterday evening. She was accompanied by Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) Stephen Shidell. The visitors were hosted at the Centre’s HQ by the Executive…

MAOC (N) was pleased to welcome Naomi Hughes, Regional Director for Latin America at the National Crime Agency (NCA), to the Centre’s headquarters for an official visit. She was accompanied by two officers from the Colombian Navy. The United Kingdom, through the NCA, is a founding member of MAOC (N), having joined the Centre at…

The Executive Director of MAOC (N) travelled to Ecuador to sign two Memoranda of Understanding (one with Ecuador’s National Police, and another one with Ecuador’s Navy) and to attend the official launch of the Fusion Centre, which was established under the EU-funded EUFORT-EC project and brings together key national authorities to monitor and assess maritime…

MAOC-N recently hosted a high-level delegation from the Portuguese Sistema de Segurança Interna (SSI), led by its Secretary-General, Patrícia Barão. Artur Vaz, Director of the National Unit for Combating Drug Trafficking (UNCTE) of the Portuguese Judicial Police, was also present. During the visit, Ms Pereira and her delegation were briefed on current maritime drug trafficking…

MAOC (N) recently hosted Mr Victor de Moura, Liaison Officer for South America from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), at its Headquarters in Lisbon. The visit provided an opportunity to reaffirm the long-standing and valued partnership between MAOC (N) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This cooperation has, over many years, contributed to international…