Category: Operational

A MAOC-N supported operation has resulted in the seizure of approximately 2627kg of cocaine and the arrest of four suspected drug traffickers off the Portuguese coast. The operation, named BUONGIORNO, was conducted by the Portuguese Judicial Police, in close cooperation with the Portuguese Navy, the Maritime Police and the Portuguese Air Force. The investigation was…

From 8 June to 5 July 2026, MAOC-N participated in Operation White Sea VI, an international initiative targeting maritime drug trafficking along the European Atlantic coast, the English Channel, the North Sea and major seaports. Coordinated by Belgian Customs under the Europol-led EMPACT framework, the operation brought together customs and law enforcement authorities from 14…

The French authorities have seized 1075 kg of cocaine following the interception of a sailing vessel approximately 500 nautical miles east of La Réunion on 25 June. The operation resulted in the arrest of three suspects, one Brazilian national and two Bolivian nationals, who were transferred to France. According to the investigation, the vessel had…

MAOC-N recently supported Operation AZUL 2.0, a multinational law enforcement operation led by the Portuguese Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária), with the participation of FRONTEX and EUROPOL, which resulted in the dismantling of a significant cocaine trafficking route operating across the Atlantic Ocean. Conducted between 27 May and 15 June 2026, Operation AZUL 2.0 was launched…

Earlier this month, the French Navy intercepted a fishing vessel navigating without a flag in the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in the seizure of 3.366 kg of cocaine and the arrest of seven individuals on board. The vessel was sailing in the Atlantic Ocean when it was interdicted by the French authorities, who discovered 104 bales…

Operation Alfa-Lima, a joint international operation targeting drug trafficking routes in the Atlantic Ocean and supported by MAOC-N, concluded with the arrest of 54 individuals and the seizure of significant quantities of illicit drugs and trafficking assets. The operation resulted in the seizure of 10.906 kg of cocaine, 8.499 kg of hashish and 21 kg…

On Friday 17 April, the French Navy intercepted a flagless sailing vessel in the Atlantic Ocean. During the boarding, several suspicious bales were discovered on board. Subsequent control operations led to the seizure of 15 bales, which tested positive for cocaine. The total quantity of illicit cargo amounted to 502.5 kilograms. The crew, along with…

The Portuguese Polícia Judiciária (PJ) recently carried out a major law enforcement operation, resulting in the seizure of 86 bales of hashish, with a total weight of approximately 3440kg. The action was conducted in close cooperation with the PJ’s National Unit for Combating Drug Trafficking (UNCTE), with the operational support of the National Republican Guard…

The Portuguese authorities have seized approximately 1.8 tonnes of cocaine following a maritime interception operation targeting an organised criminal group involved in cross Atlantic drug trafficking into Europe. The operation was carried out in recent days by the Polícia Judiciária (through its National Unit for Combating Drug Trafficking) in close coordination with the Portuguese Navy…

The French Navy seized over 4.2 tonnes of cocaine during a counter-narcotics operation off the coast of French Polynesia. A French naval vessel, supported by a maritime patrol aircraft, intercepted a suspect vessel, reported by French customs, on the high seas. A boarding team subsequently discovered 174 bales of cocaine, with a total weight of…