Category: Institutional

MAOC-N had the honour of hosting a high-level delegation from the United Kingdom (UK), led by the Minister of State for Security, Dan Jarvis, and composed of representatives from the UK’s Home Office and National Crime Agency (NCA). The delegation was received by MAOC-N’s Executive Director, José Ferreira, and Portuguese Executive Board Member, Artur Vaz.…

MAOC (N) recently hosted a delegation from the Belgian Public Prosecutors’ Office at its headquarters in Lisbon. The delegation was led by Mr Lode Vandaele, Prosecutor of the King from the Public Prosecution Service of West Flanders. The visit was hosted by the Executive Director, José Ferreira, and was briefed by an analyst on current…

MAOC-N recently hosted a delegation from the Irish Department of Defence, led by Bernie Maguire, Assistant Secretary for Defence & Security Policy. The delegation received an in-depth presentation on the Centre’s work, the ongoing cooperation with Irish authorities, and recent MAOC-N-supported operations, highlighting the latest and most relevant maritime drug-trafficking threats and challenges affecting Europe.…

MAOC-N recently welcomed Ms Floriana Sipala, Director for Internal Security and European Commission Counter Terrorism Coordinator, for an official visit to the Centre’s headquarters. During the visit, Ms Sipala was briefed on recent MAOC-N supported operations and on the latest maritime drug-trafficking trends that continue to threaten European borders and internal security. The meeting was…

The Ambassador of the United States of America to Portugal, John Joseph Arrigo, was recently received by the Executive Director of MAOC-N at the Centre’s headquarters in Lisbon. During the visit, Ambassador Arrigo was briefed on past and ongoing operations targeting the emergence of new maritime drug-trafficking routes and took part in a discussion focused…

The Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics) — MAOC-N — welcomed the Irish Minister of State, Thomas Byrne, who was accompanied by the Irish Ambassador to Portugal, Alma Ní Choigligh, and several members of his team. During the visit, Minister Byrne received an in-depth presentation on the Centre’s operational framework, including its role in intelligence…

MAOC (N) recently welcomed a high-level delegation from Ireland, including Revenue Commissioners Ruth Kennedy and Maura Kiely, Assistant Garda Commissioner Angela Willis, Assistant Secretary Tom Talbot, and Principal Officer Sean Murtagh. The delegation received a briefing and presentation by a MAOC (N) analyst on the Centre’s work, with particular emphasis on Irish-linked operations. The visit…

MAOC-N recently welcomed a delegation from the Danish National Special Crime Unit to its Lisbon Headquarters, hosted by the Executive Director. The delegation was led by Mr Torben Granat Svarrer, Deputy Commander for Investigation, Intelligence and Analysis. The meeting allowed both sides to exchange views on ongoing cooperation, intelligence sharing and joint efforts to counter…

MAOC-N was pleased to welcome Hans Leijtens, Executive Director of FRONTEX, for a visit to the Centre’s headquarters in Lisbon. The visit formed part of the ongoing dialogue between the MAOC-N and FRONTEX, offering an opportunity to exchange perspectives on international drug trafficking and the operational challenges emerging across the maritime domain. Mr Leijtens was…

MAOC-N had the honour of hosting the Belgian Minister of Security and the Interior, Mr Bernard Quintin, for a high-level visit to the Centre this week. The Minister was accompanied by the Belgian Ambassador to Portugal, Mr Bart Lammens, and the Consul-General, Ms Nadia Benini, marking a significant moment in the growing cooperation between Belgium…