Argentina, together with other countries from Latin America and the Caribbean, carried out a Study Visit to the Ports of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, and Antwerp, in Belgium from August 30 to September 5, 2018 within the framework of the Container Control Program (PCC) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the World Customs Organization (UNODC-WCO).
Purpose:
According to the agency's communication, the purpose of this program is Improve the capacity of customs and law enforcement officials in the region to detect the flow of illicit goods in order to support legal trade and increase public revenues.
For this reason, the PCC trains countries seeking to improve risk management, supply chain security and trade facilitation at sea, land and airports. This includes assistance through regular monitoring and on-site visits combined with mentoring from Port Control Units (PCU).
Participants from LAC
In this context, participants from the UCP of Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay and Peru, had the opportunity to observe the work of European colleagues in the fight against illegal trafficking in the aforementioned European ports.
At the same time, the representatives visited the Training Centre in Rotterdam and worked together with the Belgian Customs Agency and the Countersamples Unit in Antwerp. The Latin American representatives observed the methodology for risk analysis management, scanners, image analysis and current security measures.
Team concept
Based on the team concept, this activity was an opportunity for all law enforcement agencies involved to share best practices, exchange opinions and strengthen cooperation between officers from different countries and backgrounds.
Seizures
De From January to September 2018, the UCP managed 174 cases in total, including the following results: 34.802.255 kg of cocaine seized in 82 cases and 465,32 kg of marijuana seized in 2 cases; 2 cases of firearms trafficking; 7 cases of smuggling; 3 cases of trafficking in chemical precursors; 58 containers seized with goods in violation of IPR; 17 cases of undeclared goods; 1 case of tax evasion; and 2 smuggling alerts.
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El PCC operates in 16 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Suriname.
Through the CCP, UNODC and WCO assist governments in creating sustainable enforcement structures at selected seaports to minimise the risk of containers being exploited for illicit drug trafficking, transnational organised crime and other forms of market activity.
The United States, Germany, Canada and the European Union are among the donors of the program.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
