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Portuguese Authorities Intercept 6.5 Tonnes of Cocaine on Semi-Submersible in Remarkable Operation in the Atlantic
In an extraordinary operation, Portuguese authorities have successfully intercepted a semi-submersible vessel carrying approximately 6.5 tonnes of cocaine, marking a significant victory in the fight against transnational drug trafficking. The operation, codenamed NAUTILUS, was supported by MAOC-N and involved a swift and coordinated effort between the Portuguese authorities – Judicial Police (PJ), Navy, and Air…
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German Authorities Seize 280kg of Cocaine in Oldenburg
On the morning of March 3, 2025, German special forces from the Lower Saxony Criminal Police (LKA) and Oldenburg’s Central Criminal Investigation Unit carried out a successful operation leading to the arrest of several individuals involved in the smuggling of a significant quantity of cocaine into Germany. Their efforts confirmed that a bulk carrier, originating…
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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…
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MAOC (N) Hosts Operational Workshop on the Growing Threat of Go-Fast Vessels
On 20th February 2025, MAOC (N) convened an operational workshop in Lisbon at the premises of the Polícia Judiciária to address the rapidly evolving threat posed by go-fast vessels (GFs) in maritime drug trafficking to Europe. The event brought together representatives from all MAOC-N partner countries, with the exception of Belgium, to discuss the growing…
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Spanish Authorities Seize Over Half a Tonne of Cocaine in the Atlantic
On 06/02/2025 the Spanish Navy, in coordination with the Spanish National Police, has successfully intercepted a sailing vessel carrying over 600 kilograms of cocaine. The operation, a collaboration between the French (DNRED), UK (NCA), and US (DEA) authorities, targeted maritime drug trafficking. The vessel, flying a Polish flag, was en route to the Canary Islands…
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German authorities seize 153kg of cocaine in cargo vessel at Wilhelmshaven
On December 27th, 2024, a joint operation by German authorities resulted in the seizure of approximately 153kg of cocaine on a cargo vessel in Wilhelmshaven. The operation, supported by MAOC-N, involved the cooperation of several German agencies, including customs, border control, and police forces. The 300-metre-long cargo vessel was thoroughly inspected, including the use of…
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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…
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MAOC-N supports Spanish operation in Galicia – over 1 tonne of cocaine seized
In the last days, a joint Spanish operation conducted by the National Police and Guardia Civil, led to the seizure of 1100Kg of cocaine off the Galician coast. By the end of 2024, there had been intelligence indicating that a go-fast type of vessel would depart from Galicia, with the objective of collecting a significant…
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Portuguese Authorities Seize Nearly 3.5 Tonnes of Cocaine Hidden in Banana Pallets
The Portuguese Judicial Police (PJ) has successfully dismantled a major drug trafficking operation, seizing 3.458 tonnes of cocaine hidden in pallets of bananas. The drugs were found during a search at a Portuguese port, concealed inside boxes of bananas packed on several pallets, and transported in the holds of a cargo ship that regularly transports…
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Over 3.3 Tonnes of Cocaine Seized from Venezuelan Fishing Vessel off Canary Islands
On 07/12/2024, Spanish authorities intercepted over 3.300 kg of cocaine aboard a Venezuelan-flagged fishing vessel West of the Canary Islands. Officers from the Spanish Customs Surveillance Special Operations Vessel PETREL boarded the vessel, arresting ten crew members on board—nine Venezuelan nationals and one Colombian national—and seizing 110 bales of cocaine. The operation, which was supported…