30 - 31 October The Joint Operational Meeting among Brazilian Federal Prosecutors and Drug Law Enforcement Officers from Nigeria and Ghana took place in Lagos, Nigeria
The meeting organized by UNODC under the framework of the projects, C RIMJUST and the Project "Response to Drugs and Related Organized Crime in Nigeria", adopted a prosecutorial approach based on the results of the previous led-intelligence "Operation Eagle".
During the meeting, participants gained an overview of criminal cases generated by Operation Eagle in Ghana and Nigeria, as well, as discussed the actions taken following each seizure and arrest, including prosecution, proceeds of crime, and subsequent investigation from intelligence surrounding seizures.
This initiative thereby implements an essential pillar of CRIMJUST integrated prosecution efforts on transnational criminal groups and organized crime. Moreover, Ghanaian and Nigerian delegates exchanged efforts to strengthen interregional cooperation in areas such as, joint investigations and law enforcement training and assessed practical arrangements regarding future operational and joint activities.
In addition, the Brazilian Federal Prosecution Service, as an external partner, presented interregional criminal cases and shared experiences and best practices in prosecuting international drug cases. The intervention aimed at identifying key challenges posed by interregional organized crime.
As a result of the meeting, the involved law enforcement agencies outlined a roadmap of next steps with practical arrangements against transnational organized crime involving other partners. The lessons drawn from the discussed approaches, methodology and stakeholders involved will strengthen future joint activities implemented in the framework of CRIMJUST.
Under the framework of the CRIMJUST project, UNODC and its partners (INTERPOL and TI) aim to assist Member States to enhance their capacity and integrity of criminal justice institutions to detect, investigate, prosecute and adjudicate illicit cocaine trafficking cases, and to foster cooperation at the interregional level for effective action to tackle drug trafficking and related organized crime.
For more information:
- European Union "Cocaine Route Programme"
- INTERPOL
