Category: Institutional

On 23/11/2023, the Executive Director of MAOC-N hosted Mme Ine Van Wymersch, Belgian Drug Commissioner, and the Ambassador of Belgium to Portugal, Serge Wauthier, at the Centre’s Headquarters in Lisbon. Commissioner Van Wymersch and Ambassador Wauthier were briefed by a Senior Analyst on some of the Centre’s past and current operations, with a particular focus…

Following an invitation from the Italian authorities, the Executive Director of MAOC-N and the Italian Liaison Officer to the Centre travelled to Rome (Italy) for an official meeting with the Italian Central Direction for Antidrugs Services – DCSA (Direzione Centrale Per I Servizi Antidroga), and two visits to the General Command of the Guardia di…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Following an interview on May 2023, the French newspaper “Libération” has written an article featuring the Centre’s work in combating maritime drug trafficking. Among other remarks, the article says: «En quinze ans d’existence, l’agence a été impliquée dans la saisie de près de 312 tonnes de cocaïne (valeur marchande estimée à 21 milliards d’euros), dont…

Rear Admiral Jo-Ann Burdian, the assistant commandant for response policy, visited MAOC-N during her last stay in Lisbon accompanied by a delegation from the US Coast Guard. The Rear Admiral, who is responsible for the development of strategic response doctrine and policy guidance for all Coast Guard forces, was briefed on the MAOC-N work, the…