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 use of these fast-moving vessels in cocaine smuggling operations. The workshop focused on analysing the increasing threat these vessels pose, particularly their expanding operational range into the Atlantic Ocean.
The context for the meeting was the significant rise in the use of GFs for drug trafficking observed throughout 2024. Experts highlighted the operational challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in tackling these fast-moving, often small vessels, which are increasingly difficult to track and intercept.
A key highlight of the workshop was the presence of a representative from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG Home), underscoring the importance of the issue at the European level.
In addition to the participants in Lisbon, the workshop also included remote contributions from the French Forces in the Caribbean and the US Coast Guard in Florida. Furthermore, the Colombian Navy presented a comprehensive overview of the situation on the departure side of the Atlantic.
The discussions emphasised that combating this threat effectively requires a unified approach, and underscored the necessity of ongoing cooperation and innovation to stay ahead of the evolving maritime drug trafficking threat.
