Our Videos

June 22, 10

NEWS / UN helps Panama strengthen maritime security to curb illicit trade


22 June 2010 – In an effort to strengthen maritime security in Central America, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Panama today launched a joint programme intended to prevent illicit and counterfeit goods from entering markets through sea ports.

The programme includes the launch by UNODC of the Centre of Excellence on Maritime Security in Panama City and the opening of a regional office for Central America, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, with financial support from the Panamanian Government.

The centre will help identify threats to maritime security and serve as a resource of expertise, training, data collection and analysis. UNODC’s new operational hub in Panama City will also allow the organization to provide more effective advisory services to countries in the region.

The flow of narcotics from the Andean countries to North America is a key concern.

“Seventy per cent of crimes in Central America are directly linked to drug trafficking,” said Juan Carlos Varela, Panama’s Foreign Minister. “This reinforced focus on maritime security will help the governments in the region to tackle the common threat of organized crime,” he said.

Most of the world’s trade is carried out in shipping containers, meaning that containers are also the main delivery methods for illicit goods, UNODC’s Deputy Executive Director Francis Maertens said during a visit to the port of Balboa in Panama. “Better container security can raise the risks and lower the benefits to organized crime,” said Mr. Maertens.

Less than two per cent of the 420 million shipping containers used globally every year are inspected, creating major opportunities for drug traffickers and smugglers to conceal illicit cargo, according to UNODC.

Improving container security in Panama’s ports is a priority since more than 11 million containers pass through the Panama Canal every year.

Since joining UNODC’s World Customs Organization Global Container Control Programme last year, Panama has significantly increased the number of seizures of illicit goods hidden in containers.

“Thanks to improved intelligence and information-sharing, in just seven months Panamanian authorities have managed to confiscate 146 containers transporting drugs and counterfeit goods, with a value of over $20 million,” said Mr. Maertens.

Highly sophisticated concealment methods are part of the problem, but law enforcement agents at ports are often hampered by inter-institutional mistrust, corruption, complex port processes, lack of resources and dangerous conditions.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=35101&Cr=unodc&Cr1=

 




Testimonials

John Beacleay

Just wanted to say thanks again for all your help Anton. I mean it's really amazing to me that yo...
Read More »
Niranjan Sujay
I recently used LOGOS INTERNATIONAL for the translation of my bachelor’s certificate, and I couldn’t...
Read More »
Katia Nagata

As a foreigner, I needed a certified translation, so I called the DOE to give me a list of the ce...
Read More »
AnnaMaria Realbuto
Thank you for all your assistance and efficiency...
Read More »




FAQ

What does it mean to "execute" a document?
Read More »
Will ICE be adding new degrees to the STEM Designated Degree Program List during the comment period?
Read More »
Why dont fuel prices change as quickly as crude oil prices?
Read More »
What gives CBP the right to search me?
Read More »






News

July 9, 25
Actor Michael Madsen died from heart failure-death certificate
Read More »
July 7, 25
US deports Asian and Latin American men with criminal records to South Sudan
Read More »
July 3, 25
TX woman arrested after convincing pastor to certify fake marriage certificate
Read More »
July 1, 25
South Carolina woman accused of altering sister’s death certificate to commit insurance fraud
Read More »