MAOC (N) had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from Ecuador’s Fusion Centre to its headquarters, as part of ongoing cooperation to strengthen the fight against transnational organised crime.
As part of EU-funded project EUFORT-EC, the Ecuadorian Fusion Centre is an initiative aimed at integrating a shared information platform between Ecuadorian institutions to monitor and assess potential threats and risks, with a special focus on drug trafficking through maritime routes. The delegation included representatives from the Ecuadorian Navy, the National Police, and the Ministry of the Interior.
During the visit, both entities had the opportunity to exchange views on operational strategies and initiatives to combat drug trafficking by sea. Discussions also focused on enhancing intelligence sharing and developing joint approaches to disrupt these illegal ventures.
MAOC (N) is actively supporting the establishment and operational development of the Ecuadorian Fusion Centre, providing technical guidance and sharing best practices drawn from its own experience as a platform for maritime intelligence and coordination.
A Memorandum of Understanding between MAOC (N) and the Ecuadorian Fusion Centre, currently in preparation, was also discussed during the meeting.
The Ecuadorian Fusion Centre is expected to be fully operational in the near future, marking an important step in the efforts to enhance interagency cooperation and strengthen international partnerships in the fight against maritime drug trafficking.
