26 May 2017 - The event co-sponsored by Portugal with the participation of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka, Cape Verde, the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre on Narcotics (MOAC-N), and the UNODC's Global Maritime Crime Programme and CRIMJUST Programme; explored organized crimes committed at sea, possible preventive measures and criminal justice system responses. The event took place at UNODC Headquarters in Vienna.
As over 90% of global trade is carried out by sea, the economic effects of maritime crime cannot be neglected. To gain effective control of the vast trafficking opportunities offered by the high seas, the importance of sharing intelligence was duly highlighted by experts. 60 participants gathered to discuss maritime crime and maritime routes used for illicit trafficking.
Mr. Tiago ARAÚJO, Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Portugal opened the discussion by giving the floor to Mr. Frank FRANCIS, Executive Director of the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre on Narcotics who shared technical tools available to identify and track ships and unusual maritime behaviours. He reminded that in 70% of cases, the country that brings the case is not the one who leads the operation, and thus international cooperation and share of intelligence and information is key to achieve common objectives.
Dr. Luís LANDIM Deputy General Prosecutor Office of Cape Verde and Ms. Dayani MENDIS, Deputy Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka shared their specific national context regarding the links between organized crime and drug trafficking, and expressed their ongoing need for regional cooperation and technical training.
Finally, Ms. Siri BJUNE, Programme Officer, Global Maritime Crime Programme and Mr. Marco TEIXEIRA, Programme Officer, CRIMJUST presented their programmes and how programmes cooperation on the topic of organized crime committed at sea was crucial.
Participants expressed their gratitude to the work of UNODC in fighting organized crime and drug trafficking. It is hoped that such an event will open new avenues for international cooperation and strengthen the common efforts in disrupting maritime trafficking routes.
Under the framework of the CRIMJUST project funded by EU Cocaine Route Programme, 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
- MAOC-N
