Law Enforcement Use case Anti-drug trafficking operations in the Mediterranean

The Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre – Narcotics (MAOC(N)) is an international platform that combats drug trafficking in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions. In May 2017, they suspected a vessel in the Suez Bay was involved in a heroin transhipment. Using optical imagery from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), they confirmed the vessel's location and shared this information with Turkish authorities. The vessel was intercepted, nine crew members were arrested, and over a tonne of heroin was seized. Additionally, 2.4 tonnes of cocaine were found on board, leading to the arrest of seven more crew members.