H.E the Minister of the Interior of Spain, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, recently visited the headquarters of MAOC-N in Lisbon, reaffirming Spain’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking across the Atlantic.
Also in attendance were the Spanish Ambassador to Portugal, Juan Fernández Trigo, and the Director of the Centro de Inteligencia Contra el Terrorismo y el Crimen Organizado (CITCO), Francisco Javier Marín Lizarraga, highlighting the importance Spain places on coordinated intelligence and operational efforts to combat drug trafficking at both national and international levels.
During the visit, which was hosted by the Executive Director of MAOC-N, there was a shared emphasis on the need to reinforce joint action against major maritime drug trafficking routes. It was highlighted that experience has consistently demonstrated that individual national efforts must be complemented by strong collective action, underlining the value of shared resources, intelligence, and coordination.
Spain, as one of the founding members of MAOC-N, remains a key contributor to the Centre’s operations. It continues to play an active role within the organisation, with its sustained commitment and operational input supporting several significant interdictions coordinated through the Centre. Its involvement has been particularly important in addressing the go-fast threat, given the country’s strategic geographic location.
The Executive Director of MAOC-N thanked the Spanish Minister for the support rendered by the Spanish authorities to the Centre, and emphasised that the latter remains fully committed to being an effective framework for intelligence sharing and operational coordination to combat maritime drug trafficking and associated organised crime.
