Between September and November 2024, AIRCOP reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing law enforcement capacities across Latin America and the Caribbean. Through targeted training sessions, operational support, and international collaboration, the Programme has bolstered regional efforts to combat transnational crime and strengthen airport security.
The initiatives began in El Salvador, where from 9 to 11 September 2024, AIRCOP organised a mentoring session for the Joint Airport Interdiction Task Force (JAITF) at San Salvador Airport. This event focused on enhancing operational efficiency and was complemented by a technical assessment of air cargo operations. These efforts aimed to optimise detection and prevention capabilities in a sector that plays a critical role in combating illicit activities.
In the Dominican Republic, from 16 to 20 September 2024, the Santo Domingo JAITF underwent specialised training on detecting anomalous behaviour and refining operational responses. Conducted in collaboration with Spain’s Guardia Civil, the training provided practical methodologies and advanced skills to address evolving threats.
The Programme’s efforts continued in Argentina from 29 October to 1 November 2024, where AIRCOP hosted two major training sessions at Ezeiza International Airport. These sessions focused on the identification of high-risk passengers and included participants from the Viru Viru JAITF and Bolivian JAITFs. This initiative strengthened both national capacities and regional cooperation, underscoring AIRCOP’s strategic approach to fostering collaboration across borders.
To ensure sustained engagement and skill development, AIRCOP also facilitated two online training sessions led by the World Customs Organization (WCO). These sessions introduced updates to CENcomm 3, a secure communication platform critical for real-time coordination and information sharing among task forces in the region.
Tangible Operational Success
The impact of AIRCOP’s efforts was evident in the results achieved during this period. From September to October 2024, AIRCOP-supported task forces reported 25 significant seizures, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Programme’s targeted training and operational support.
One of the most notable achievements occurred at San Jose International Airport in Costa Rica, where the JAITF intercepted 19,000 pills of synthetic drugs, along with half a kilogram of cocaine and marijuana oil. In another case, a trafficking in persons operation was detected, highlighting AIRCOP’s ability to address a wide range of illicit activities and safeguard vulnerable individuals.
