News

  • The Ambassador of France to Portugal, Hélène Farnaud-Defromont, is received by the Executive Director at the Centre’s Headquarters

    The Ambassador of France to Portugal, Hélène Farnaud-Defromont, is received by the Executive Director at the Centre’s Headquarters

    The Ambassador of France to Portugal, Ms. Hélène Farnaud-Defromont, was received by the Executive Director of MAOC-N, Mr. Sjoerd Top, at its headquarters in Lisbon. Ambassador Farnaud-Defromont was briefed on some of the Centre’s past and current operations and discussed viable collective initiatives and solutions to mitigate the new emerging threats posed by transnational organised…


  • Italian Ambassador to Portugal Carlo Formosa visits MAOC-N

    Italian Ambassador to Portugal Carlo Formosa visits MAOC-N

    On 15/05/2023, the Executive Director of MAOC-N Mr. Sjoerd Top hosted the Ambassador of Italy to Portugal at the Centre’s headquarters in Lisbon. Ambassador Carlo Formosa visited the Centre following the country’s close collaboration with MAOC-N since the Centre’s establishment in 2007. As one of the founding countries, Italy has been a key strategic partner…


  • MAOC-N supports Spanish cocaine seizure on a fishing vessel near the Canary Islands

    MAOC-N supports Spanish cocaine seizure on a fishing vessel near the Canary Islands

    Last week, under particularly adverse weather conditions, the Patrol Vessel CONDOR of the Spanish Customs Surveillance Service carried out a maritime operation which resulted in the seizure of over 1.500kg of cocaine in the Atlantic. The target of the operation was a vessel named EFESIOS 5-20, a 25 meter-long fishing vessel flying the Brazilian flag,…


  • The Australian Ambassador to Portugal visits MAOC-N

    The Australian Ambassador to Portugal visits MAOC-N

    Ambassador Indra McCormick, the Australian Ambassador to Portugal who is also accredited to Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau & Sao Tome and Principe, was recently received by the MAOC-N Executive Director at its headquarters in Lisbon, accompanied by officers of the Australian Border force. Ambassador McCormick was briefed on MAOC-N’s activities and operations, with a view to…


  • US Ambassador Jessica Lapenn visits MAOC-N

    US Ambassador Jessica Lapenn visits MAOC-N

    Ambassador Jessica Lapenn, U.S. Ambassador to the African Union and U.S. Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation, was recently received by the Executive Director and the Head of Operations of MAOC-N at its headquarters in Lisbon. Ambassador Lapenn was briefed on some of the Centre’s past and current operations, with a particular focus on the vulnerabilities…


  • Guinean Navy seizes 1.5 tonnes of cocaine with support from MAOC-N

    Guinean Navy seizes 1.5 tonnes of cocaine with support from MAOC-N

    In the early hours of April 2nd, 2023, the Guinean Navy intercepted a fishing vessel named ALIMAN 1 off the coast of Conakry, Guinea, seizing more than 1.5 tonnes of cocaine found onboard the vessel, which was flying a flag from Sierra Leone. The drugs, believed to be ultimately destined for the European market, were…