Course on drug trafficking under way

HAVANA, Cuba, May 4 (ACN) Professionals from Bolivia, Canada and Spain are giving Cuban specialists a course on real-time operational communication between international airports to fight organized crime, drug trafficking and terrorism in the context of the project AIRCOP.

A group of 30 Cuban experts from the various entities are benefitting from this project funded by the European Union and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, according to the General Customs Office of the Republic (AGR) in statements to ACN.

Considered a key component of an integrated approach to border control management, the course is intended to share information about the evolution of traffic routes and the emergence of new products.

AIRCOP receives assistance from other nations interested in its scope and importance, with the participation and cooperation of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).

The WCO granted the Certificate of Merit to the customs department of the José Martí International Airport and the offices of the provinces of Matanzas and Artemisa for their exceptional service to the international community.

Cuba implements a policy of Zero Tolerance to drugs and fights any form of drug trafficking or use and permanently strengthens international cooperation with organizations, countries, agencies and services involved in this effort.

AIRCOP is a multi agency project of cooperation between UNODC, INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO) aimed at strengthening the capacities of international airports to detect and intercept drugs, other illicit goods and high-risk passengers, including foreign terrorists, in both origin, transit and destination countries with the overall objective of disrupting the illegal criminal networks.