News

  • Major Cocaine Seizure in the Caribbean by French Armed Forces

    Major Cocaine Seizure in the Caribbean by French Armed Forces

    On 27 June 2025, the French Armed Forces in the Antilles (Forces armées aux Antilles), with support from international partners, conducted a significant counter-narcotics operation in the Caribbean Sea. A French Navy vessel, acting on intelligence and assisted by a U.S. maritime patrol aircraft and an aircraft from the Coast Guard, intercepted a Go-Fast vessel…


  • 940 Kg of Cannabis Resin seized by the French Navy off Guyana

    940 Kg of Cannabis Resin seized by the French Navy off Guyana

    On the 6th of June, the French Forces in the Caribbean carried out a maritime operation that led to the seizure of a substantial quantity of cannabis resin on board a sailing vessel, located in international waters off the coast of Guyana. Acting on intelligence shared by several countries under the MAOC-N framework, authorities had…


  • Portuguese Authorities Seize 1,660 kg of Cocaine on Board Sailing Vessel

    Portuguese Authorities Seize 1,660 kg of Cocaine on Board Sailing Vessel

    In recent days, a joint operation conducted by the Portuguese Judicial Police, Navy, and Air Force has resulted in the seizure of 1,660 kg of cocaine. The 11-metre sailing vessel was intercepted by the Portuguese Navy while sailing south-west from the Azores with three crew members on board. The vessel was escorted to Ponta Delgada…


  • EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner Visits MAOC (N) Headquarters in Lisbon

    EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner Visits MAOC (N) Headquarters in Lisbon

    MAOC (N) was honoured to welcome EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner and his delegation to its headquarters in Lisbon this week. The visit marks a significant moment for the Centre, reflecting continued high-level engagement and support for MAOC (N)’s mission in the fight against transnational organised crime and drug trafficking by sea and by air. Commissioner…


  • Operation SOMBRA NEGRA: Cocaine Trafficking Network Dismantled in the Canary Islands

    Operation SOMBRA NEGRA: Cocaine Trafficking Network Dismantled in the Canary Islands

    The Spanish National Police has dismantled a major criminal network involved in trafficking cocaine from South America to the Canary Islands using high-speed vessels. The operation followed months of investigation and resulted in 48 arrests. Those detained formed part of a hierarchical organisation with coordinators based in the Canary Islands responsible for receiving and distributing…


  • The Belgian Drug Commissioner Visits MAOC-N

    The Belgian Drug Commissioner Visits MAOC-N

    The Belgian Drug Commissioner, Mme Ine Van Wymersch, visited the Centre following Belgium’s official accession to MAOC-N in July 2024. During the visit, the Commissioner and her delegation received a comprehensive briefing on the Centre’s activities, as well as the latest developments and trends in maritime drug trafficking. The meeting also provided a valuable opportunity…