Cocaine trafficking team launched

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The UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, France, the Netherlands and Italy are all due to sign up to create The Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre - Narcotics (MAOC-N).

Based in Lisbon, the centre will match state-of-the-art intelligence with military and law enforcement assets to provide a rapid response to traffickers attempting to supply the EU with cocaine.

The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) will post representatives to work at the site, and a senior officer has been appointed as the first director.

The centre has been up and running since April, co-ordinating 22 operations resulting in more than 10 tonnes of cocaine being seized.

Policing and Security minister Vernon Coaker said: "SOCA involvement in the centre will help target cocaine smugglers by sharing intelligence with other countries and coordinating rapid air and sea operations, making the best use of law enforcement and military resources to stop attempted drug runs across the Atlantic.

"By taking an active role in this innovative drug trafficking centre we are cutting down the pathways used by those serious criminals attempting to infest our country with cocaine."