Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics)

ended

MAOC (N) is an operational platform with the co-location of experienced law enforcement liaison officers and military attachés from 7 EU Member States (ES, FR, IE, IT, NL, PT, UK) and the USA. Its objective is to improve the cooperation in the fight against illicit drug trafficking by air and sea across the Atlantic Ocean towards Europe and the West African Seaboard by fusing and responding to actionable intelligence and multinational law enforcement direction. Intercepting drugs while in bulk is when it has the most impact on the higher echelons of organised crime, in terms of lost revenue. MAOC (N) has Country Liaison Officers (CLOs) and directly employed staff. The CLOs are from a police, customs, military or naval background. Each has extensive and relevant experience in investigating maritime activity and can call upon the resources of their domestic Law Enforcement agencies and national assets, including extensive international overseas liaison networks. They are empowered by their country to work as a team in MAOC (N), to optimise a positive outcome for the benefit of all the partners. MAOC (N) has a remit to protect the interests of all EU Member States. It works closely with many European Agencies, such as the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). MAOC (N) also works closely with EUROPOL, EUROJUST, and INTERPOL and takes an active role in the current EU Policy Cycle 2018-21 (EMPACT Priority – Cocaine), the EU Drug Strategy 2013-20, EU Maritime Action Plan 2014 and the EEAS (Cocaine Route Programme). The Project´s main objective is the disruption of maritime and air drug trafficking routes to the EU through the Atlantic and the Mediterranean sea by breaking the drug supply when the drugs are in bulk and at their highest value.