MAOC (N) participated in Operation White Sea V, a large-scale international initiative targeting maritime drug trafficking across the European west coast, the English Channel, the North Sea, and major seaports. The operation, led by Belgian Customs and coordinated under the EU’s EMPACT framework by Europol, ran from 2 to 30 June 2025.
Twelve European countries took part in the operation: Spain, Portugal, France, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Poland. International partners included Frontex, the United States, and liaison officers based in Latin America.
Operation White Sea V focused on a range of smuggling techniques, including at-sea drop-offs, transfers to smaller vessels, concealment by crew members, and narcotics hidden on or beneath ship hulls. Operational deployments included patrol vessels, boarding teams, speedboats, divers, helicopters, and coast guard aircraft, supported by analysis teams.
Throughout the month-long effort, authorities monitored 951 vessels and carried out 119 physical inspections. Nine drug trafficking incidents were recorded in Europe, leading to the seizure of 3348 kg of cocaine and the arrest of 13 individuals.
