News briefing week of 29 November

29/11 Global coalition seizes 145.3 tonnes of cocaine – Colombia’s navy. Military and police authorities from more than 40 countries across Europe and the Americas confiscated 145.3 tonnes of cocaine in the eighth phase of Operation Orion, a multinational naval operation against drug trafficking, Colombia’s navy said on Monday. 29/11 12 online fraudsters arrested in…

trinida

Minister stresses importance of SEACOP for Trinidad

Last week, the SEACOP team wrapped up its outreach meetings to the Caribbean. Team Leader Dominique Bucas and Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean Karen Clarke held a successful final meeting in Trinidad and Tobago where they met with National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds, in the presence of H.E. Peter Cavendish, Ambassador and Head of Delegation…

guyana-SEACOP-steering-committee

SEACOP partakes in 1st National Steering Committee in Guyana

SEACOP in Guyana 🇬🇾 this week! At the first National Steering Committee held in Guyana, SEACOP Team Leader Dominique Bucas and Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean Karen Clarke can be seen pictured with Hon. Robeson Benn, Minister of Home Affairs of Guyana and H.E. Fernando Ponz Canto, Ambassador of the European Union. A number of…

Barbados-SEACOP-coastguards

SEACOP meets Barbados counterparts to discuss future cooperation

The SEACOP team continues its outreach meetings in the Caribbean, with a visit to Barbados last Friday 27 November 2021. Led by Team Leader Dominique Bucas and Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean Karen Clarke, the SEACOP delegation met with Commodore E.R. Shurland, head of Barbados Defense force, Graham Archer from the Regional Security System and Captain…

News briefing week of 22 November

22/11 GI-TOC uncovers the scope of contract killings linked to organized crime. At least 2,700 contract killings took place in 2019 and 2020 in more than 80 countries, enabling criminals to silence those who oppose them and dissuade efforts into investigating their activities, according to a Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) report. 23/11…

Karen Clarke Jamaica SEACOP

SEACOP kicks off bilateral meetings in Jamaica

Last week, SEACOP Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean Karen Clarke kicked off a series of outreach visits to partner countries of the region, starting with Jamaica on 22-25 November 2021. She met with a number of key local stakeholders, namely Jamaica Constabulary Force, Jamaica Customs Agency and Jamaica Defence Force – Coastguard, to discuss further…

seizure SEACOP cocaine Malaga

SEACOP contributes to seizure of 648kg of cocaine in Malaga

In early November 2021, the SEACOP project contributed to the seizure of 648kg of cocaine through a joint operation between Spanish, Colombian and Italian authorities. Started back in July 2021, the investigation involved various entities working in anti-drug trafficking and transnational maritime security. Notably, the operation was initiated by the Chief of the Census Room…

News briefing week of 15 November

15/11 Narcotics trafficker extradited from Colombia to face international cocaine distribution charges. Fabian Emilio Zapata Taborda is allegedly responsible for supplying cocaine to the Clan del Golfo and other drug trafficking organizations. 16/11 Italian police break up drug smuggling ring tied to Calabria mob. Over 100 people were arrested in Italy as members of a…

News briefing week of 08 November

08/11 Gold, diamonds and drugs: Portuguese peacekeepers suspected of smuggling. Portuguese police have clamped down on a crime ring that allegedly involved the country’s U.N. peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR) using military planes to smuggle gold, diamonds and drugs, authorities said on Monday. According to Portuguese police, the “criminal network” had international links…