Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre Narcotics - MAOC N

🪶 𝐌𝐀𝐎𝐂-𝐍 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐊𝐀

⚔️ MAOC-N recently welcomed the President of the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), Holger Münch, to its headquarters. He was hosted by the Executive Director and the Head of Operations of MAOC-N during the visit.

🛡️ The German delegation also included the Head of Division for Serious and Organised Crime at the BKA, Markus Koths.

🚨 The visit underlined the close operational cooperation between MAOC-N and Germany, which became a member of the Centre in 2024. Since joining, Germany has been permanently represented at MAOC-N through a liaison officer from the BKA, ensuring real-time exchange of information and strengthened operational coordination within the Centre’s framework.

🌐 The German Ambassador to Portugal (Embaixada da Alemanha Lisboa. Deutsche Botschaft Lissabon), Daniela Schlegel, also participated in the programme, attending the lunch hosted during the visit.

🛥️ Germany’s accession to MAOC-N reflects the strategy of the German Federal Ministry of the Interior to effectively intertwine the work of federal security agencies with European and international partners, specifically directed to fight against organised crime structures. The visit highlighted the mutual commitment to enhancing international cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking.

🔗https://maoc.eu/maoc-n-receives-visit-from-president-of-the-german-bka/

🪶 𝐌𝐀𝐎𝐂-𝐍 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

🛟 MAOC-N recently took part in two separate high-level events in Brussels focused on maritime security and the fight against illicit drug trafficking.

🛥️ The first, hosted by the Permanent Representation of Portugal to the European Union (PortugalnaUE), brought together representatives from Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean to discuss cooperation against drug trafficking at sea and support for the EU-CELAC Mechanism on Drugs. MAOC-N contributed operational perspectives to the exchange, and Portugal’s Polícia Judiciária (UNCTE) was also present at the meeting to discuss future avenues to strengthen coordination.

🌐 MAOC-N’s Head Analyst also attended the EPP Group High-Level European Ports Summit, organised by the EPP Group in the European Parliament, which gathered policymakers, law enforcement and port stakeholders to exchange views on security challenges affecting European ports.

⚔️ Both meetings reinforced the importance of coordinated approaches to maritime security and the disruption of illicit trafficking routes.

🔗https://maoc.eu/maoc-n-engages-in-brussels-discussions-on-maritime-security-and-port-cooperation/

🚨𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐕𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜, 𝐒𝐞𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐤𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞

🛥️ On Friday 17 April, the Marine nationale (French Navy) intercepted a flagless sailing vessel in the Atlantic Ocean.

🛟 During the boarding, several suspicious bales were discovered on board. Subsequent control operations led to the seizure of 15 bales, which tested positive for co***ne. The total quantity of illicit cargo amounted to 502.5 kilograms.

🛃 The crew, along with the seized narcotics, were taken into custody in accordance with French procedures.

🌐 The operation was triggered by intelligence from the Direction nationale du renseignement et des enquêtes douanières (DNRED), with follow-up investigative work conducted under the authority of the Caribbean branch of the Office anti-stupéfiants (OFAST).

⚔️ This operation, which was supported by MAOC-N, highlights France’s sustained commitment to countering maritime drug trafficking and illustrates the continued exploitation of the Atlantic ocean by transnational criminal networks seeking to transport large quantities of co***ne.

🔗https://maoc.eu/french-authorities-intercept-flagless-vessel-in-the-atlantic-seizing-502-5-kg-of-co***ne/

🌐 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐝𝐢 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐳𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐌𝐀𝐎𝐂-𝐍 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

🤝 MAOC-N recently hosted a delegation from the Italian Guardia di Finanza at its headquarters, in a visit led by the Executive Director of MAOC-N. The meeting provided an opportunity to reinforce longstanding partnerships and to discuss ongoing cooperation efforts in the Mediterranean region, in coordination with Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and its representative.

🛡️ The delegation was composed of Lieutenant General Stefano Screpanti, Central Air and Naval Commander, and Major General Joselito Minuto, Air and Naval Operations Commander. Also in attendance was Marco Fantinato, Frontex Contingent Commander of Portugal and Spain (Contingent 5), representing the Agency.

🛥️ Discussions focused on strengthening operational collaboration in the Mediterranean, addressing shared challenges related to maritime security, and enhancing joint efforts in the fight against drug trafficking.

🛟 The visit reinforces Italy’s close collaboration with MAOC-N since the Centre’s inception in 2007, as well as their shared commitment to enhancing maritime security and combating drug trafficking through international cooperation.

🪶 As one of the founding countries, Italy has been a key strategic partner of MAOC-N, having contributed valuable intelligence in operations coordinated through the Centre and facilitating international cooperation in the context of maritime drug trafficking.

🔗https://maoc.eu/guardia-di-finanza-delegation-visits-maoc-n-to-strengthen-mediterranean-cooperation/

🚨𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 (𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬) – 𝐌𝐀𝐎𝐂-𝐍 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 & 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐛𝐨𝐧, 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐥.

The Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre – Narcotics:
MAOC-N is an initiative by eight EU Member States (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Portugal) and the United Kingdom, co-funded by the European Union’s Internal Security Fund. The Centre provides a platform for multilateral cooperation in the fight against illicit drug trafficking by sea and air.

The Post:
The Administrative & Operational Assistant will be recruited through funding from the European Union’s Internal Security Fund (ISFP-2020-AG-IBA-MAOC). The position is offered under a contract governed by Portuguese Labour Law.

Role Summary:
The Administrative & Operational Assistant will work within the Management and Administration Department (MAD) and report to the Head of MAD. The primary role is to provide thorough administrative, clerical, and logistical support to ensure the Centre operates smoothly.

Main Responsibilities:
- Maintain office equipment, manage inventory/supplies, and coordinate with vendors;
- Monitor and restock office supplies, stationery, and kitchen items.
- Coordinate facilities maintenance (cleaning, repairs, security).
- Manage calendars.
- Coordinate travel logistics.
- Organise meetings and other events, providing general support to visitors.

Entry Criteria:
- Language: native-level proficiency in Portuguese and excellent command of English.
- Good knowledge of standard administrative practices and software, particularly Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

Candidate Personal Qualities:
- Ability to work independently on assigned tasks.
- Proactive, detail-oriented and able to solve problems effectively.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Conditions of employment:
- Part-time position (20 hours per week), in the Centre premises.
- The gross annual salary for this post is 11.797,80€ per year. The salary is subject to Portuguese national taxation, deducted at source.
- MAOC-N staff members are also entitled to private health insurance and a meal allowance.
- Temporary contract until the end of 2026, with the possibility of extension subject to available funds and the position being deemed necessary.

Submission of applications and the selection process:
- The application submission period is from the 1st of April to the 19th of April 2026.
- Candidates must submit the following documents by email to [email protected]:
- Europass curriculum vitae (a maximum of two pages);
- One-page cover letter in English, clearly identifying the position being applied for in the subject of the email;
- Language certificate (minimum C1 level).
- Successful candidates will undergo short remote interviews in April. Selected applicants will be invited to attend an interview at MAOC-N’s headquarters in Lisbon for a personal interview.
- Selected candidates will be subject to background checks (including criminal records and police background checks).
- The successful candidate may be expected to report for duty in May 2026.

🚨 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟑.𝟒 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

🛟 The Portuguese Polícia Judiciária (PJ) recently carried out a major law enforcement operation, resulting in the seizure of 86 bales of hashish, with a total weight of approximately 3440 kg.

🛥️ The action was conducted in close cooperation with the PJ’s National Unit for Combating Drug Trafficking (UNCTE), with the operational support of the GNR - Guarda Nacional Republicana. The intervention focused on the Vicentine and Algarve coastal regions.

🛡️ This operation stems from an ongoing investigation targeting transnational criminal organisations operating across Portugal and Spain. These networks are responsible for introducing large quantities of hashish into Europe via maritime and land routes, subsequently distributing the drugs throughout the Iberian Peninsula and onward to other European markets.

🛃 In addition to hashish, authorities also confiscated three vehicles, including two high-performance cars, as well as ammunition.

⚔️ The investigation remains ongoing under the direction of the PJ’s Central Directorate, in coordination with national and international partners, as part of the broader effort to dismantle organised criminal networks engaged in large-scale drug trafficking.

🔗https://maoc.eu/portuguese-authorities-seize-over-3-4-tonnes-of-hashish-in-coordinated-maritime-operation/

🚨 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐆é𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐌𝐀𝐎𝐂‑𝐍 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐛𝐨𝐧

🛡️ MAOC-N had the honour of welcoming France’s Minister of Justice (Garde des Sceaux), Gerald Darmanin, to its headquarters in Lisbon. The visit was hosted by the Centre’s Executive Director and Head of Operations, who presented MAOC‑N’s ongoing work and operational priorities in the fight against maritime drug trafficking.

🤝 Minister Darmanin was accompanied by Laureline Peyrefitte, Head of the Directorate of Criminal Affairs and Pardons, reflecting the strong institutional engagement of the French justice authorities in international counter‑narcotics efforts. Also in attendance were Ambassador of France to Portugal Hélène Farnaud-Defromont, Grégory Canal, Chief of Staff and Political Counsellor, and Anne-Lise Bagrel, Counsellor for European and International Affairs and the Fight Against Terrorism.

🛥️ Discussions during the visit focused on enhancing operational cooperation, intelligence sharing, and coordinated responses to evolving threats and new modus operandi by transnational organised crime along key Atlantic trafficking routes.

🛟 France, as a founding member of MAOC‑N, continues to play a pivotal role within the Centre. Its sustained commitment and operational contributions have been instrumental in a number of significant interdictions supported by the Centre.

🌐 The Executive Director of MAOC-N thanked the French Minister for the support rendered by the French authorities to partner countries and highlighted the consistent deployment of French naval and aerial assets to conduct maritime interdictions in the Atlantic, particularly in the sensitive West African region. This year alone, the French Navy has already conducted three maritime operations in coordination with MAOC‑N, resulting in the seizure of over eight tonnes of co***ne.

🔗https://maoc.eu/french-minister-of-justice-gerald-darmanin-visits-maoc-n-headquarters-in-lisbon/

🐟 𝐌𝐀𝐎𝐂-𝐍 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐅𝐂𝐀 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐫. 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐞

🧭 MAOC-N was pleased to welcome the Executive Director of the European Fisheries Control Agency - EFCA, Dr. Susan Steele, on an official visit to its headquarters this week.

🛟 The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen cooperation and exchange expertise between the two organisations, both of which play a key role in enhancing maritime security and across European waters. Discussions focused on shared challenges, including the increasing complexity of maritime operations, and possible ways of cooperation were also explored.

🌐 During her visit, Dr. Steele was briefed on MAOC-N’s operational model, and how the Centre facilitates intelligence sharing and coordinated responses to emerging threats.

🛥️ The visit highlighted the value of closer collaboration between agencies operating in complementary fields, and underlined the importance of continued dialogue to address evolving risks in the maritime environment.

🗺️ MAOC-N remains committed to working closely with EFCA and international partners to counter transnational threats and ensure a coordinated approach to maritime security.

🔗https://maoc.eu/maoc-n-hosts-visit-of-efca-executive-director-dr-susan-steele/

🤝 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐛𝐨 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐌𝐀𝐎𝐂-𝐍

📢 MAOC-N welcomed the Attorney General of Cabo Verde (Procurador-Geral da República), Dr. Luís José Tavares Landim, during a visit to the Centre hosted by the Executive Director.

🛟 The meeting provided an opportunity to reinforce the longstanding cooperation between Cabo Verde and MAOC-N. Discussions focused on the archipelago’s strategic role in addressing maritime drug trafficking, particularly given its location along key transatlantic trafficking routes. The visit also allowed both parties to exchange views on further strengthening collaboration and exploring new avenues for cooperation in the future.

🛥️ Cabo Verde has been a strategic partner of MAOC-N since 2008. Since then, the country has contributed to a number of operations coordinated through the Centre.

🌐 The visit highlighted the continued importance of close cooperation between MAOC-N and its international partners in tackling the evolving challenges posed by maritime drug trafficking and transnational organised crime.

🔗https://maoc.eu/attorney-general-of-the-republic-of-cabo-verde-visits-maoc-n/