Author: jocc

  • Crew sets fire to sailing vessel after being intercepted by Spanish authorities

    Crew sets fire to sailing vessel after being intercepted by Spanish authorities

    In recent days, the Spanish authorities launched a maritime operation aimed at intercepting a sailing vessel suspected of carrying a significant quantity of cocaine bound for Europe. Following the dissemination of intelligence via MAOC-N, the Customs Surveillance Service (SVA) patrol vessel Sacre successfully intercepted the target approximately 50 nautical miles off the coast of the…

  • 940 Kg of Cannabis Resin seized by the French Navy off Guyana

    940 Kg of Cannabis Resin seized by the French Navy off Guyana

    On the 6th of June, the French Forces in the Caribbean carried out a maritime operation that led to the seizure of a substantial quantity of cannabis resin on board a sailing vessel, located in international waters off the coast of Guyana. Acting on intelligence shared by several countries under the MAOC-N framework, authorities had…

  • Portuguese Authorities Seize 1,660 kg of Cocaine on Board Sailing Vessel

    Portuguese Authorities Seize 1,660 kg of Cocaine on Board Sailing Vessel

    In recent days, a joint operation conducted by the Portuguese Judicial Police, Navy, and Air Force has resulted in the seizure of 1,660 kg of cocaine. The 11-metre sailing vessel was intercepted by the Portuguese Navy while sailing south-west from the Azores with three crew members on board. The vessel was escorted to Ponta Delgada…

  • The Belgian Drug Commissioner Visits MAOC-N

    The Belgian Drug Commissioner Visits MAOC-N

    The Belgian Drug Commissioner, Mme Ine Van Wymersch, visited the Centre following Belgium’s official accession to MAOC-N in July 2024. During the visit, the Commissioner and her delegation received a comprehensive briefing on the Centre’s activities, as well as the latest developments and trends in maritime drug trafficking. The meeting also provided a valuable opportunity…

  • Brazilian Authorities Seize Semi-Submersible in Remote Area of the State of Pará

    Brazilian Authorities Seize Semi-Submersible in Remote Area of the State of Pará

    A joint operation by the Federal Police, Air Force, and the Brazilian Navy resulted in the seizure of a semi-submersible that was being prepared to cross the Atlantic to Europe, carrying a significant amount of cocaine. This operation follows the seizure of 6 tons of cocaine aboard a similar vessel, last March by Portuguese authorities.…

  • Memorandum of Understanding with Argentinian Ministry of Security

    Memorandum of Understanding with Argentinian Ministry of Security

    In the last weeks MAOC-N has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Argentinian Ministry of Security with the common objective of enhancing maritime security and preventing maritime illicit drug trafficking. The signature of the MoU took place during the EU CLASI Ministerial Meeting in Brussels in the beginning of March. MAOC-N was represented…

  • MAOC-N supports another important seizure by the French Forces in the Caribbean – 1.2 tonnes of cocaine

    MAOC-N supports another important seizure by the French Forces in the Caribbean – 1.2 tonnes of cocaine

    On March 22, the French forces stationed in the Caribbean conducted a significant anti-drug trafficking operation, which resulted in the seizure of approximately 1,200 kg of cocaine aboard a fishing vessel of Brazilian origin. After the information was shared within the framework of MAOC-N, a French Navy asset was able to locate and intercept the…

  • MAOC-N Supports French Operation in the Gulf of Guinea – Over 6 Tonnes of Cocaine Seized

    MAOC-N Supports French Operation in the Gulf of Guinea – Over 6 Tonnes of Cocaine Seized

    On Saturday, March 15, 2025, a significant operation led by the maritime prefect of the Atlantic and the public prosecutor of Brest resulted in the seizure of an astonishing 6,386 kg of cocaine from a fishing vessel in international waters off the Gulf of Guinea. The operation involved assets from the French Navy stationed in…

  • MAOC-N signs a memorandum of understanding with the Colombian Air Force

    MAOC-N signs a memorandum of understanding with the Colombian Air Force

    MAOC (N) and the Colombian Air Force have signed a significant memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen their collaboration in the fight against international drug trafficking. The agreement aims to enhance intelligence sharing, joint operations, and coordinated efforts to intercept and dismantle drug trafficking networks operating across maritime and aerial domains. The MoU outlines a…

  • MAOC-N Supports French Operation in the Caribbean – 9 Tonnes of Cocaine Seized

    MAOC-N Supports French Operation in the Caribbean – 9 Tonnes of Cocaine Seized

    In the early days of 2025, the French Navy forces stationed in the Caribbean deployed their maritime patrol vessel, “La Confiance”, to intercept and board a merchant vessel believed to be carrying a large consignment of cocaine destined for Europe. The French asset successfully intercepted the target approximately 700 nautical miles southeast of Martinique. Following…