Peru gears up to fight maritime drug trafficking

Maritime drug trafficking represents a significant part of the global illegal drug trade and presents unique challenges due to the vast expanse of the oceans and the complexity of maritime operations. During 2019, 2,330,262 maritime containers left Peruvian ports, with the port of Paita ranking second in terms of maritime container movement.

Precisely, the port of Paita, in the city of Piura in Peru, hosted a training course which addressed the challenges and strategies necessary to combat maritime drug trafficking. The training was carried out within the framework of the European project Support in the fight against drugs and organised crime in Peru, and consisted of a theoretical and a practical part and was addressed to judges, prosecutors, police and customs personnel.

In the theoretical part, participants acquired fundamental knowledge and tools to identify trafficking patterns, assess risks and understand the techniques used by traffickers to hide illicit substances in containers. Specialists from the Spanish Civil Guard shared their experience and offered an in-depth view of current trends in maritime drug trafficking, as well as best practices for detection and prevention.

The practical part allowed participants to visit the facilities of the port of Paita and put into practice the knowledge acquired through simulations and realistic detection exercises. Participants were able to carry out thorough inspections of containers, which improved their response capacity and provided them with concrete skills to deal with real situations in ports and at checkpoints.

The importance of collaboration and cooperation between different national and international agencies was also emphasised during the training. Participants were encouraged to establish and strengthen joint working relationships in order to improve effectiveness.

Finally, a closing ceremony was held in the presence of authorities from both Lima and Piura.