44 countries and 52 seaports took part in a two-week maritime enforcement operation in the second quarter of 2018, in order to disrupt the flow of possible container shipments contaminated with drugs.
The operation made 14 seizures and confiscated a total of 5,814 kilograms of cocaine. It also resulted in improved risk profiling and enforcement techniques, and increased awareness of this crime.
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The operation was held under the UNODC-World Customs Organization (WCO) Container Control Programme (CCP), which helps Governments limit the risk of shipping containers being used for smuggling of drugs, weapons, and other illicit goods.
The objectives of operation “Sports Bag-2” included enhancing operational cooperation and information exchange among the participating countries and seaports.
It also aimed to identify new smuggling trends and improve risk profiling and inspection techniques. Boosting cooperation between law enforcement agencies and trade stakeholders was another objective.
CCP was established in 2004 and is currently operational in 50 countries, while it has initiated activities in another 8. The work of the Joint Port Control Units under the Programme has seized over 240 tons of cocaine, 6 tons of heroin, 1,634 tons of drug precursors, 69 tons of cannabis products and 750 container loads of counterfeit goods.
Moreover, 1,518 other cases of illicit trade were reported, varying from weapons, dual use or strategic goods, hazardous waste, CITES species, millions of cigarettes, spirits, stolen cars and motorcycles, expired and substandard pharmaceuticals and detections of falsely declared goods to avoid payment of Customs duties.
