Operation WESTERLIES 3
A joint enforcement operation against illicit trafficking in
methamphetamine by air passengers
3
Final Report
(Jointly prepared by Japan Customs and
the WCO Secretariat)
This document contains law enforcement sensitive materials
1 June 2015
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[Table of Content]
Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1
Objectives and Scope of Operation......................................................................... 1
Regional Workshops at Buenos Aires, Argentina and Dakar, Senegal ............... 2
Course of the Operation ........................................................................................... 4
Use of CENcomm ...................................................................................................... 4
Operation Result ....................................................................................................... 5
[Narcotics Seizure Type].................................................................................. 5
[Narcotic Cases by Members].......................................................................... 8
[Modus Operandi] ............................................................................................ 9
[Arrested Persons] ......................................................................................... 11
[Detection Methods and Use of Technical Devices] ...................................... 11
[Non-Narcotics Seizures] ............................................................................... 13
ANALYSES OF SEIZURE DATA : DRUG TRAFFICKING ROUTES ...................... 13
[General Itineraries] ....................................................................................... 14
[Major Trafficking Routes] .............................................................................. 17
[Probable New Trafficking Routes] ................................................................ 18
[Probable future joint actions] ........................................................................ 19
Evaluation and Conclusion .................................................................................... 20
Annex I :
Participating Customs Administrations and Involved Airports
Annex II:
Agenda of Regional Workshops
Annex III :
Table of All Narcotics/Precursors/Medicinal Cases
Annex IV :
Cases of Interest
Annex V :
Questionnaire of Operation WESTERLIES 3
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Introduction
Operation WESTERLIES was initiated by Japan Customs and was first endorsed
in the WCO Enforcement Committee in March 2012.
The Operation had a focus on
trafficking of methamphetamine by air passengers from Africa to Asia.
The WCO
Secretariat carried out the first Operation WESTERLIES from 16 to 25 November 2012 in
close cooperation with Japan Customs, pooling the efforts of 82 participating Customs
administrations, 9 Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILOs) and ICPO (INTERPOL).
The Operation WESTERLIES 2 was carried out the following year from 6 to 15 December
2013, with participation by 75 Customs administrations and 10 RILOs.
2.
Japan Customs proposed the Operation WESTERLIES 3 in the 33rd Session of
the Enforcement Committee in March 2014, and invited Member administrations to actively
participate.
The Operation WESTERLIES 3 was originally scheduled to be conducted in
December 2014 but due to the concerns over the spread of Ebola virus in West Africa, the
Regional Workshop in Burkina Faso in November 2014 was moved to Senegal in February
2015. For this reason the Operation WESTERLIES 3 was postponed until March 2015.
3.
With the active involvement and dedicated efforts by the participating
administrations, as well as seamless coordination with the National Contact Points (NCPs)
and RILOs, Operation WESTERLIES 3 was concluded with a record high number of
participants with 116 administrations and very fruitful results were reflected in the CENcomm
database.
This Final Report will wrap up all aspects of the Operation and provide a
summary of analysis and evaluation.
The scope of analysis is based on the data input into
CENcomm by the participating countries.
Objectives and Scope of Operation
4.
Building up on the good base of the WESTERLIES series, Operation
WESTERLIES 3 continues to be a global operation focusing on illicit trafficking in
methamphetamine by air passengers departing from all airports bounding for East Asian
countries. At the same time, this Operation does not exclude targeting other illicit drugs and
contrabands smuggled by air passengers. It coordinates the joint efforts of Customs
administrations at inter-regional level for effective interception of drug couriers. Apart from
the seizure and arrest, WESTERLIES 3 also emphasizes the investigation of the criminal
groups behind, and multi-agency collaboration of enforcement actions between Customs,
Police and other law enforcement authorities.
5.
In July 2014, the WCO invited all Member administrations to participate in this
Operation to demonstrate the solidarity among the WCO Members.
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Considering the
Page 1
identified trafficking routes and the scope of this Operation, Member administrations around
the world, in particular the West and Central Africa region, East and South Africa region,
Europe Region, Near and Middle East region, North and South America and Caribbean
region and Asia/Pacific region were highly encouraged to participate.
6.
As a result, 105 Customs administrations1, 9 WCO Regional Intelligence
Liaison Offices (RILOs), the Interpol and the Joint Airport Interdiction Task Force
(JAITF) of the Project Aircorp have participated.
It is encouraging that comparing to
Operation WESTERLIES 2, there are 31 more Administrations joining their hands with us.
A
detailed list of participants and the involved airports is referred at Annex I.
Regional Workshops at Buenos Aires, Argentina and Dakar, Senegal
7.
Prior to the Operation, two
train-the-trainer workshops were held from
25 to 28 November 2014 in Buenos Aires,
Argentina and from 23 to 27 February 2015
in Dakar, Senegal. The Workshops were
both sponsored by Customs Co-operation
Fund (CCF) of Japan and were attended by
representatives
from
39
Customs
administrations wishing to take part in the
Operation. Experts from French Customs,
Japan Customs and the Drug Enforcement
Regional Workshop Argentina
Team of the WCO Secretariat delivered the
trainings which provided a wide spectrum
of curriculum covering the topics of risk
profiling of passenger and cargo, controlled
delivery, global trend analysis of narcotics
trafficking, and the practical exercise on the
effective use of CENcomm.
The detailed
curriculums are presented at Annex II.
Regional Workshop Senegal
1
An RILO ME Officer from Saudi Arabia represented RILO ME and other countries in the Middle East region.
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8.
As benefited from the Workshops, the participants have enhanced their
awareness and competency with particular relevance to the objectives of the Operation.
The Workshops also provided a good platform for experience sharing and networking with
their counterparts, which have largely facilitated effective communications during the
Operation.
9.
One major objective of the Workshops was for
the attending officials to cascade down the acquired
operational know-hows to officers on the ground who had
the responsibility of actual controls at the points of entry and
departure. It was encouraging that several participating
countries had spread their knowledge by holding internal
workshops at national level within their
administrations.
positive
effects
This
of
took
the
the
Operation
WESTERLIES 3 to a wider scope and
also
infiltrated
the
spirit
of
the
Operation to the officers at the very first
line of defence.
National Trainings in Central African Republic, Cameron, Brazil, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire,
Senegal, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Nigeria
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Course of the Operation
10.
Operation WESTERLIES 3 was taken forward
from 6 to 15 March 2015. An Operation Coordination Unit
(OCU) was set up at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels.
Manning the OCU were the experts from different Customs
Administrations
of
Argentina,
Brazil,
Democratic
Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Japan,
Nigeria, RILO Central Africa, RILO Middle East and
RILO West Africa, as well as the experts from the Drug
Enforcement Team of the WCO Secretariat.
On the first
day of operation, the WCO Deputy Secretary General,
Sergio MUJICA, visited the experts at the OCU and gave
remarks of encouragement.
11.
The WCO Deputy Secretariat General,
Mr. Sergio MUJICA (centre), visited the
OCU on 6 March 2015
The OCU fulfilled its role in accordance with the
Operational Plan in the areas of, inter alias : (1) facilitating
information exchange at inter-regional level via CENcomm,
(2) disseminating significant alerts or warning messages, (3)
assuming the central role of coordination amongst Customs
administrations, (4) monitoring the seizure reports on daily
basis, and (5) issuing of update operational status report
and Newsletters.
12.
OCU at work
After the conclusion of the Operation on 15 March 2015, the “virtual” OCU
continued to operate for an extended period for purpose of verifying case information and
data input into CENcomm.
Use of CENcomm
13.
The WCO’s tool, CENcomm, was used as a secure communication platform and
database for seizure/warning messages during the Operation.
Thanks to the WCO’s CEN
Team, the CENcomm platform for WESTERLIES 3 was ready for testing months prior to the
Operation.
There were 246 designated National Contact Points (NCPs) granted with
access to CENcomm, who had logged in the platform well before the Operation and got
themselves familiarized with the features of the system.
The enthusiasm and high
readiness of the participants before the roll-out of the Operation are well shown.
14.
During the course of operation, The WESTERLIES 3 CENcomm platform
recorded a total of 266 exchanges of messages, in which 54 structured “WARNING”
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messages were generated and 32 “FEEDBACK” messages were resulted.
They were
related to the request of special attention and/or control measure on identified targets.
Four
(04) Newsletters were issued by the OCU to update participants with first-hand Operation
results. To wrap up the case results, a total of 171 seizure records were entered into the
pre-formatted seizure report of CENcomm.
The participating Members had been very
involved and had input all the details in a timely manner.
The WCO also noted the added
value of the participating RILOs who had facilitated the information exchange within their
regions.
15.
The WESTERLIES 3 emphasizes on close collaboration of enforcement actions
between Customs administrations and Police authorities, in particular, in the backtracking
investigation after detection of suspicious cases. By use of CENcomm there are 5 signature
cases in this Operation that worth highlighting. By the great effort of OCU members who
actively analyzed and dug into the PNR information especially with those intelligence
provided by Brazilian Customs, the OCU sent out several alert messages to all participants
on suspicious routing of air passengers. Subsequently, 1 case was made with seizures of
583 grams of internally concealed cocaine seized in Benin (Seizure Message 139) and 4
other cases with 3.425 kg of cocaine seized in Nigeria (Seizure Messages 53, 91, 102 and
104).
16.
CENcomm also has a “Library” function which collects all relevant operational
materials for use by the NCPs.
Prior to the Operation, OCU had uploaded the training
materials at the Regional Workshops, the WCO document of “Standard Risk Assessments
on Model Risk Indicators/Profile”, as well as other useful references.
In addition, a separate
folder for CITES, which contains relevant alerts and identification tools of ivory products,
rhino horn, etc, was also created.
Participating Members were encouraged to make use of
all these good materials for their internal training or operational use.
Operation Result
[Narcotics Seizure Type]2
17.
As a result of the Operation, which was voluntarily expanded by some of the
participating Members, the OCU received 171 seizure messages in total, which include 3,680
kgs of a variety of narcotic seizures in 121 cases as shown in Table 1 below.
2
Statistics are based on the data input or converted into the unit of kilogram (kg) and there may be slight
discrepancies caused by rounding up of numbers after 2 decimal places
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18.
The total amount of reported seizure is 19% more than that in Operation
WESTERLIES 2 (3,680 vs. 3,092 kgs) and 83% increase in terms of number of cases (121
vs. 66 cases).
A complete list of all narcotics/precursor seizure cases is appended at Annex
III. The grand total of narcotics seizures is shown as follows :
Table 1 : Total Narcotics Seizures (By Drug Type)
Narcotics
Amphetamine
Cannabis – herbal
Cannabis – resin
Cocaine
Cocaine – liquid
Heroin
Ketamine
KHAT
MDMA (ecstasy)
Methamphetamine
Poppy straw
Tramadol
PSY drugs – other
No. of Cases
2
16
5
66
2
6
1
3
1
10
1
2
6
Quantity (kg)
5.59
2,200.69
5.49
275.68
1.23
14.74
1.98
119.00
0.06
32.64
0.001
1,009.56
14.29
121
3,680.96
Total
19.
As you can see the dominant type of drug seizure is still herbal cannabis which
takes up over 2,000 kg of seizures for both WESTERLIES 2 and WESTERLIES 3. It is
worth indicating that the amount of cocaine seized in this Operation WESTERLIES 3 has
risen to over 276 kg in 68 cases, comparing to WESTERLIES 2 it was merely 62 kg.
The
3
rise of Tramadol (a synthetic type of opiate based pain reliever ) in this Operation based
upon a remarkable seizure by Dubai Customs in air freight cargo for 1,000 kg.
20.
In the Operational Plan, based on past suggestions from Members, participants
were given discretions to cover other modes of transport rather than limiting only to air
passengers, such international mails and as land border crossing traffic or inland conveyance.
Accordingly, we divide the reported seizures into 3 categories : (i) by air passengers (ii) air
freights, postal or express mails, and (iii) land border / inland / sea (vehicles, motorcycles,
vessels, pedestrian), which are tabulated in below Tables 2, 3 and 4.
3
Cerner Multum, Inc. “Tramadol”. Drugs.com. Revision Date: 2014-01-13, 6:11:36 PM.
http://www.drugs.com/tramadol.html
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Table 2 : Total Narcotics Seizures from Air Passengers
Narcotics
Cannabis – herbal
Cannabis – resin
Cocaine
Cocaine – liquid
Heroin
Ketamine
KHAT
Methamphetamine
PSY drugs – other
No. of Cases
8
1
55
1
6
1
2
7
2
Quantity (kg)
41.99
0.04
183.97
0.90
14.74
1.98
111.00
15.65
0.20
83
370.46
Total
Table 3 : Total Narcotics Seizures from Air Freights, Postal or Express Mails
Narcotics
Amphetamine
Cannabis – herbal
Cocaine
Cocaine – liquid
KHAT
MDMA (ecstasy)
Methamphetamine
Tramadol
PSY drugs – other
No. of Cases
1
2
10
1
1
1
2
1
3
Quantity (kg)
2.11
1.00
53.25
0.33
8.00
0.06
1.99
1,000.00
5.77
22
1,072.50
Total
Table 4 : Total Narcotics Seizures at Land Border / Inland or Sea
Narcotics
Amphetamine
Cannabis – herbal
Cannabis – resin
Cocaine
Methamphetamine
Poppy straw
Tramadol
PSY drugs – other
No. of Cases
1
6
4
1
1
1
1
1
Quantity (kg)
3.49
2,157.70
5.45
38.46
15.00
0.001
9.56
8.33
16
2,237.99
Total
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[Narcotic Cases by Members]
21.
Members.
In this operation, a total of 121 narcotic cases were reported by 32 participating
It should be noted that the Operation is a concerted effort of all participants and
these case statistics only reflect the final outcome and shall not be interpreted as the only
yardstick on performance measurement.
Table 5 : Number of Reported Narcotic Cases (By Participating Members)
Customs Administration
Brazil
Nigeria
Portugal
Peru
Spain
Niger
South Africa
Cuba
Panama
Hong Kong, China
Japan
Togo
Qatar
Belgium
Russian Federation
Benin
Mali
Mexico
Senegal
Angola
Argentina
Australia
Chile
Poland
Kuwait
Mauritania
France
United Arab Emirates
Bolivia
Cameroon
Malaysia
Burkina Faso
Total
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Number of Cases
11
9
9
9
9
6
6
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
121
Page 8
22.
The following table is to show the cases reported by Members according to their
WCO regions, which gives a better overview of the routing in general.
Table 6 : Number of Reported Narcotics Cases (By Region)
North Africa,
Near, Middle
East
West, Central
Africa
East, South
Africa
Europe
Asia / Pacific
North, South
America
Mauritania
Benin
Angola
Belgium
Australia
Argentina
Kuwait
Burkina Faso
South Africa
France
Bolivia
Qatar
Cameroon
Poland
Hong Kong,
China
Japan
United Arab
Emirates
Mali
Portugal
Malaysia
Chile
Niger
Russian
Federation
Spain
Nigeria
7
Brazil
Cuba
Mexico
Senegal
Panama
Togo
Peru
29
8
28
12
37
[Modus Operandi]
23.
The table below shows a summary of the modus operandi (MO) in the 121
reported narcotic seizure cases. Please note that the narcotics are aggregated regardless
of its forms and the MO are simplified and merged as appropriate for the purpose of this
summation.
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Table 7 : Modus Operandi Employed for Narcotics Trafficking
Cannabis
– herbal
Cannabis
– resin
Cocaine
Cocaine
– liquid
In baggage
7
1
31
1
On the person
1
Other Than
Air Passengers
By Air
Passengers
Modus Operandi
Amphe
-tamine
10
Stuffed
1
Swallowed
13
Air freight
1
International
Mail
Road freight
1
Inside
conveyance
On vessel
1
In baggage
1
6
4
1
MDMA
MethPoppy Tramadol
(ecstasy) amphetamine straw
2
PSY drugs
– other
4
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
On the person
Others
Heroin Ketamine KHAT
1
2
3
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3
1
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[Arrested Persons]
24.
The total number of arrested persons in relation to narcotics cases is 88, of which
67 are male and 21 are female. OCU has been given to know that there would be further
arrestees after investigations, which might be made by, and/or jointly with other narcotic
enforcement agencies as the Operational Plan so encouraged.
OCU tried to obtain as
much detailed information as possible from the reporting Members, but no further fresh
information was provided.
Table 8 shows the number of arrested persons by nationality
regarding narcotic seizures at all places (i.e. airport terminals, land borders, inland, etc.).
Table 8 : Nationalities and Genders of Arrestees for Narcotics Trafficking
Gender
Nationality
ANGOLA
ARGENTINA
BANGLADESH
BENIN
BOLIVIA
BRAZIL
CANADA
CHINA
COLOMBIA
CUBA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
ECUADOR
EGYPT
GUINEA-BISSAU
GUYANA
HUNGARY
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
JAPAN
M
1
1
1
1
Gender
F
1
1
2
1
3
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
Nationality
M
KAZAKSTAN
MALAYSIA
MEXICO
NETHERLANDS
NICARAGUA
NIGERIA
PANAMA
PORTUGAL
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
SOUTH AFRICA
SPAIN
TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
THAILAND
TURKEY
Unknown / Blank
Total
2
2
3
14
2
1
1
8
1
1
4
67
21
Although Customs officers cannot afford a 100%
examination on all passengers and cargoes, we have a variety of technical devices and
detection techniques to do an effective Customs control.
The following table shows a
distribution of detection methods versus the types of narcotic, which could throw some light
on formulation of an effective detection strategy. A note to the table is that not all 121
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2
1
1
12
Most of the time, narcotics trafficking is committed in very complicated way by use
of various concealment methods.
1
1
1
2
[Detection Methods and Use of Technical Devices]
25.
F
2
narcotic cases are indicated with the technique used.
Table 9 : Detection Methods and Use of Technical Devices (By Narcotics)
Narcotics
Detection Method
Narcotic Test Kit
Amphe
-tamine
Cannabis
-Herbal
1
1
Cannabis
-Resin
Cocaine
Cocaine
-Liquid
7
Heroin
MDMA
(ecstasy)
2
Meth
Poppy
straw
PSY
Drug
-Others
Tramadol
2
Subtotal :
Intelligence
/Investigation
Profiling
Random Control
Routine
2
1
1
Subtotal:
Intelligence
/Investigation
Profiling
1
Unknown
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
4
21
2
3
2
17
1
1
1
0
2
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
Subtotal:
Intelligence
/Investigation
Routine
Other
1
1
1
Others
1
1
Routine
Tip Off
Subtotal:
Intelligence
/Investigation
Profiling
Routine
Tip Off
4
1
Sniffer dog
X-Ray
2
1
8
1
1
1
6
1
3
2
1
Subtotal:
Intelligence
/Investigation
Profiling
Random Control
Routine
2
1
1
2
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[Non-Narcotics Seizures]
26.
The Operation WESTERLIES 3 also brought other fruits over narcotics. Seizure
reports also include firearms, CITES items, bulk cash, cigarettes and illicit medicines.
Most
of the seized human medicines or injections were originated from Asia and bounded for East
or Central Europe and Africa.
An import case with seizure of 1,700 pieces of diamond was
effected in Brazil which is suspected of tax evasion. Also, successful interceptions were
made in Cote d’Ivoire with 1 pistol found on air passenger and in Romania with 1 Magnum
Revolver found in express mail parcel.
Table 10 : List of Non-narcotics seizures
Commodity
Quantity
Alcohol
Anabolic Steroids
Cigarettes
CITES
Currency
Diamond
Human Medicine
IPR
Human Injection – Jintropin
Human Injection – Otesaly
Human Injection – Terumo U-100 Insulin
Dietary Supplements
Tax Evasion – Motorcycle
Pistol
Revolver 22’ Magnum
Firearm Cartridge
11
17.039
387,680
7.2
1,245,753
1,700
34,832
47
240
25
29
62
1
1
1
36
Cannabis
-Herbal
bottles
kg
sticks
kg
USD
pieces
packages
pieces
pieces
pieces
pieces
boxes
unit
piece
piece
pieces
(Cases of interest, narcotics and non-narcotics are presented at Annex IV)
ANALYSES OF SEIZURE DATA : DRUG TRAFFICKING ROUTES
27.
The series of the Operation WESTERLIES aims at various operational and
strategic objectives, including “grasping better snapshot of the identified emerging threats
related to the illicit trafficking in methamphetamine and other drugs by air passengers, and
figure out further concerted actions as appropriate.” This section of the Final Report intends
to provide Member Customs administrations, not necessarily limited to the participating
Members, with a feedback of the operational results in a form of data analyses or reviews,
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highlighting if identified threats remain relevant.
This section also intends to identify
whether there are indications of any changes to trends in trafficking routes with a view to
suggesting further concerted actions to be pursued in the future.
28.
The said “emerging threats” meant methamphetamine trafficking originating from
Africa and going to Asia via Europe/Middle East committed by air passengers in principle;
however, it never excludes expanding Customs control beyond air passengers for the
purpose of Operation WESTERLIES 3.
29.
In order to grasp a bigger picture of evolving trafficking patterns and routes, there
is a need to take into account more data from a mid-term perspective.
This Operation was
carried out for a 10-day period and seizure data are not abundant. Yet, the seizure results
and its reviews tell us several pieces of valuable intelligence thanks to dedicated collection
and feeding of pertinent data into CENcomm by the participating Members and with the help
of the OCU. As it has been emphasized, the Member administrations are encouraged to
feed seizure data into CEN in a timely manner for better analyses, which are critical
intelligence to better address obstinate challenges on suppressing drug trafficking committed
by air passengers.
[General Itineraries]
30.
Table 1 shows that there are 2 cases of Amphetamine seizures and 10 cases of
Methamphetamine seizures. Based on the data fed into CENcomm, identified trafficking
routes for Methamphetamine and Amphetamine were compiled in Table 11.
Table 11 : General Itineraries of Methamphetamine and Amphetamine Trafficking
(n) Trafficking by Air Passengers
Narcotics
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Quantity
0.0022 kg
5.175 kg
6 kg
0.251 kg
0.199 kg
2.021 kg
2 kg
Departure
China
Nigeria
France
Thailand
Thailand
Malaysia
Uganda
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Transit
Hong Kong, CN
Benin
Portugal
Destination
Japan
South Africa
Brazil
Japan
Japan
Australia
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(2) Trafficking in Other Modes of Transport
Narcotics
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Amphetamine
Amphetamine
31.
Quantity
0.113 kg
15
kg
1.875 kg
3.485 kg
2.105 kg
Conveyance
Air Express
Vessel
Air Post
Vehicle
Air Post
Departure
Netherlands
Mali
Hong Kong, CN
Mali
Hong Kong, CN
Transit
Destination
Brazil
Senegal
New Zealand
Senegal
New Zealand
Operation WESTERLIES was initiated based on the concept of similar operation
code-named COCAIR, which focuses on cocaine trafficking originating from South America
and going via Africa to Europe.
Since the targeted trafficking routes are partially
overlapping with those of Operation WESTERLIES, and in fact quite a number of cocaine
seizures were reported as accomplishments of this Operation, it may be useful to review and
identify the general itineraries of the cocaine trafficking together with the above trafficking
routes for amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) smuggling.
Table 12 : General Itineraries of Cocaine Trafficking
(n) Trafficking by Air Passengers
Narcotics
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Quantity
1.3
kg
1.076
kg
3.32
kg
8.45
kg
5.79
kg
1.309
kg
4
kg
4.1
kg
1.125
kg
2.2
kg
1.34
kg
1
kg
12.8
kg
5.18
kg
2
kg
3.72
kg
Departure
Brazil
Peru
Brazil
Columbia
Brazil
Burundi
Brazil
Brazil
Spain
Columbia
Argentina
Brazil
Peru
Brazil
Columbia
Brazil
Cocaine – Powder
3.26
kg
Brazil
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
4.6
3.5
0.41
kg
kg
kg
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Cocaine – Powder
2.155
kg
Brazil
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Transit
Kenya
France
Brazil
South Africa
Brazil
Portugal
France
Portugal
United Arab
Emirates
Togo
United Arab
Emirates
Destination
South Africa
Mexico
Portugal
Portugal
Portugal
Hong Kong, CN
Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Spain
Hong Kong, CN
India
Congo, The DRC
Portugal
Belgium
Hong Kong, CN
Belgium
Nigeria
United Arab
Emirates
Cameroon
South Africa
Nigeria
Page 15
Narcotics
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Liquid
Quantity
1.77
kg
1.36
kg
17.8
kg
0.9
kg
Departure
Peru
Peru
Peru
Bolivia
Transit
United Arab
Emirates
United Arab
Emirates
France
Portugal
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
3
8
1.994
14.098
2.484
1.5
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
Brazil
Panama
Peru
Peru
Peru
Columbia
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
0.74
6.92
0.8
2.011
2.62
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
3.615
0.445
0.085
0.3
0.5
2.75
2.75
0.9
1.7
2.974
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
Brazil
Columbia
Bolivia
Columbia
Brazil
United Arab
Emirates
Brazil
Brazil
Ecuador
Columbia
Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia
Brazil
Brazil
Cocaine – Powder
5.34
kg
Ecuador
Panama –Cuba
Cocaine – Powder
0.13688
kg
Dominican Republic
-
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
0.645
2.19
11
1
0.583
9.6
0.91
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
Dominican Republic
Brazil
Panama
Costa Rica
Brazil
Brazil
Panama
Portugal
El Salvador
South Africa
Qatar
-
Cocaine – Powder
2.77
kg
Brazil
Angola
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
2.885
1.16
0.86
kg
kg
kg
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Angola
Togo
Togo
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Qatar
Qatar
Qatar
El Salvador
Panama
-
Destination
Mexico
Mexico
Mexico
Columbia
Belgium
Canada
Spain
Spain
Peru
Brazil
Nigeria
Spain
Spain
Hong Kong, CN
Belgium
Belgium
Nigeria
Nigeria
Cuba
Cuba
Spain
Spain
Spain
Portugal
Portugal
Russian
Federation
Russian
Federation
Russian
Federation
Belgium
Canada
Cuba
Benin
Pakistan
United States
Central African
Republic
Central African
Republic
Benin
Guinea Bissau
Page 16
(2) Trafficking in Other Modes of Transport
Narcotics
Quantity
Conveyance
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Liquid
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
Cocaine – Powder
29
0.331
2.15
2.25
0.012
0.255
4.445
6
0.28
Air Freight
Air Mail
Air Transport
Postal Mail
Postal Mail
Postal Mail
Postal Mail
Express Mail
Postal Mail
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
Departure
Dominican
Republic
Chile
Bolivia
Peru
Peru
Peru
Peru
Brazil
Guyana
Transit
Destination
France
Spain
Spain
Spain
Japan
Spain
Australia
United States
Turkey
Togo
[Major Trafficking Routes]
32.
From Table 11 we see there are 7 seizures of methamphetamine in this Operation,
which marks a decline in terms of number of cases and quantity. Within which 2 cases are
inter-regional and the routes are not shown coherent to the targeted pattern.
The two cases
are from Europe to South America with 6 kg and from Africa to Asia Pacific with 2 kg.
However, with limited data within short time frame, there is not enough basis to conclude a
fading of the WESTERLIES pattern.
By the way, these 2 cases of multiple kg can still imply
the trend but traffickers just took a different route to fulfill different markets.
33.
Looking at the other modes of transport in Table 11, it shows that air postal service
and express parcel are popular for ATS trafficking across the ocean, and regional shifting of
drugs in bulk quantity exists within African region.
34.
Overall, although not very obvious trafficking routes can be depicted, it is noted
that Asia Pacific region is the most popular ATS destination of air passenger trafficking and
South America and Africa comes next.
Also, West Africa is always a departure country for
ATS trafficking. Probably a new trend is observed from the two Operations WESTERLIES 2
and 3 that ATS trafficking to Africa has increased and South America could become a
destination region of ATS.
35.
When we see Table 12 with cocaine, a much more obvious pattern is observed.
It is known that South America is an origin of cocaine and the drugs go to destinations mostly
in Europe and Asia, sometimes also to Middle East and Africa or via there.
It is also worth
noting that both WESTERLIES 2 and 3 had recorded cocaine seizure of large quantity in
cargo, shipping from South America to Europe.
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[Probable New Trafficking Routes]
36.
Similar to what is said in the Final Report of Operation WESTERLIES 2, OCU
members of this Operation WESTERLIES 3 also observes that Africa is not only the sourcing
region but also a destination, both for ATS and cocaine trafficking. With the same clue in
both of the Operations, the risk that African countries are also becoming the destinations
cannot be underestimated.
37.
Like the two previous stages of Operation WESTERLIES, we also analyze and try
to understand the ATS origins and routing.
There are a number of major chemical
producing countries and most of those produced chemicals are traded and used for
legitimate industrial operations, but still, large quantities of chemicals are stolen and/or
diverted from legitimate channels.
Forensic analyses on chemicals used for manufacturing
methamphetamine and other narcotics, known as “signature analyses” or profiling, may
provide Customs and other law enforcement agencies with useful intelligence.
Such
analyses can suggest patterns and methodologies of the manufacturing of the narcotics
concerned as well as their origins.
In this regard, it may worth touching upon the gist of
presentation made by a Japanese expert in the pre-operational workshops and also during
the 34th Session of Enforcement Committee.
The presentation was about the chemical
differences of the main substance (i.e. ephedrine) composing methamphetamine seized by
Japan Customs.
Without prejudice to the neutral interpretation from an intelligence
perspective, the comparison of the results of forensic analyses tells that the stable isotope
ratios of samples coming from Africa are similar to those from Europe and India as a whole.
It implies that methamphetamine came from Europe to Japan could have been originated
from Africa, and a linkage between methamphetamine came from Africa and the ones from
India is established (Analysis from 2011 to 2014):
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38.
For trafficking of methamphetamine we have to specifically point out 2 cases
made by Brazilian Customs (Seizure Messages 15 and 144) with 6 kg coming from France
and 0.113 kg from The Netherlands.
WESTERLIES.
This is a new routing we observed in Operation
It is common for methamphetamine to be produced in West Africa and
delivered by air via Europe to the east side, but it is very uncommon for this drug to go to
South America in that way.
There is one underlying meaning : Brazil may have become a
destination country of methamphetamine.
If this could be possible, then we anticipate that
traffickers will also take the route to smuggle methamphetamine from Mexico to Brazil
because Mexico is also a producing country, for reasons that it is much closer to Brazil and
so involves less risk and cost a lot less of time and money. Members are encouraged to pay
more attention on this anticipated risk and take your efforts to prove it with solid cases.
[Probable future joint actions]
39.
This exercise is not to point at specific countries or territories for being sources of
narcotics being trafficked.
Rather, as the Operational Plan describes it as part of strategic
objectives of this Operation, this exercise is to “demonstrate the determination, the solidarity
and the “connectivity” among the international Customs community towards the shared goals,
especially the fight against narcotics trafficking.”
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40.
To cope with the ever changing climate of drug trafficking, our Customs
community would act smart over the criminals, with intense sharing of intelligence,
knowledge and techniques on detection.
And this is to realize a “Global Customs”, which is
meant to be the objective of the WCO.
One very valuable experience from Operation
WESTERLIES that worth a note is the highly useful data of the Advance Passenger
Information (API) and Passenger Name Records (PNR).
The API/PNR not only provide the
basic food for profiling suspected air passengers but also serve as the tool among
cooperating Customs administrations to communicate and work together.
In many
occasions, successful cases simply come out from the data sea and this relies very much on
the valuable experience, investigative minds and techniques of our Customs experts. Also
and most importantly, the tight cooperation among Customs across countries and swift
sharing of intelligence.
It is a powerful tool for joint Customs airport actions, on which more
focus shall be put on in future operations.
Evaluation and Conclusion
41.
In order to measure the effectiveness of Operation WESTERLIES 3, a
questionnaire (Annex V) has been designed to seek scores and comments from all the
participants. It aims at measuring the following in an empirical way :

Whether the objectives of the Operation have been met;

Whether the OCU effectively take up its coordinating role, and

Whether the WCO’s tool, CENcomm, can provide satisfactory service.
42.
In total, 58 Administrations have given in their evaluations. Feedback rate is
50.4%. From a holistic view, it is fair to say that the Operation has met its objectives in most
areas as specified in the Operational Plan, except the area about dismantling production
sites in source countries which always needs active follow-up investigation and is not easy to
conclude within short time.
Regarding the preparation, operation of the OCU and the
effectiveness of CENcomm, all areas scored very high in general.
The following tables
show the assessment results in percentage and on average.
Objectives
Operational Objectives
Objective
Achieved
Partially
achieved
Not
achieved
Not
applicable
Intercepting methamphetamine and other drugs
smuggled by air passengers;
40%
31%
3%
26%
Applying the know-how gained and best practices in
real-life situations;
60%
4%
36%
-
Raising the level of Customs control at the
international airports;
67%
33%
-
-
Enriching the operational intelligence (identify and
55%
2%
3%
40%
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Operational Objectives
Objective
Achieved
Partially
achieved
Not
achieved
Not
applicable
update risk indicators and profiles);
Identifying members of the criminal
groups/syndicates committed to the illicit trafficking in
drugs through backtrack investigations;
5%
52%
26%
17%
Dismantling the clandestine production sites in the
sourcing countries;
2%
38%
50%
10%
Improving and developing risk indicators for more
accurate targeting of high-risk air passengers.
52%
5%
2%
41%
Strategic Objectives
Objective
Achieved
Capitalizing on enhanced Customs controls on
departing and/or arriving air passengers at
global level to counter illicit trafficking in
methamphetamine and other narcotic drugs;
Partially
achieved
Not achieved
Not applicable
64%
2%
3%
31%
Gaining a clearer snapshot of the identified
emerging threats related to illicit trafficking in
methamphetamine and other drugs by air
passengers and determining further concerted
actions as appropriate;
48%
5%
9%
38%
Demonstrating the determination and solidarity
among the international Customs community
towards achieving the shared goals ;
64%
5%
2%
29%
Promoting practical co-operation with Police
authorities and other relevant competent
authorities.
55%
3%
14%
28%
CENcomm Application (Score on Average)
1 = lowest score and 5 = highest score
Creating messages (warning, feedback
and seizure/detention messages)
4.50
Use of CENcomm Email
4.50
Use of library
4.43
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Information and Services Provided for This Operation (Score on Average)
1 = lowest score and 5 = highest score
43.
Operational Plan (clear and useable)
4.64
Circular Notes (clear and useable)
4.66
Information available in the CENcomm
library (sufficient and useable)
4.48
Support of the OCU (added value of the
OCU)
4.53
Information during operation (e.g.
newsletters) (sufficient and useable)
4.48
Like all the other operations, these cases well demonstrated the importance of
OCU in which the members are playing a key role in bridging the communications at global
level, and also their valuable expertise are very useful in making enforcement sense out from
the ocean of vast amount of data.
Their tremendous efforts spent on the tedious data
mining have been well paid off by the good seizures that curbed the drug trafficking and kept
the world safe.
44.
To conclude, Operation WESTERLIES 3 has met its objectives and with
encouraging results.
It embodies a seamless cooperation within Customs family across
border as well as other law enforcement agencies against drug trafficking.
Customs
administrations concerned should continue to be vigilant of the smuggling trend presented in
This Final Report will be submitted to the 35th
this paper and make effort to stem the flow.
Enforcement Committee in March 2016.
*
*
*
WCO Drug Enforcement Team
Pierre Bertrand
Kin Kei Li
Ibrahima Seck
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Annex
I
Participating Customs Administrations and Airports
Participating Member
Administrations
Participating Airports (code)
(AFRICA)
1.
Angola
n.a.
2.
Benin
n.a.
3.
Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou (OUA)
4.
Burundi
n.a.
5.
Cameroon
n.a.
6.
Cape Verde
n.a.
7.
Central Africa, Rep.
Bangui (BGF)
8.
Chad
HASSAN DJAMOUSS
Airport (NDJ)
9.
Congo, Rep. of
n.a.
10.
Congo, Dem. Rep. of
Kinshasa (FIH)
11.
Cote d’Ivoire
n.a.
12.
Gabon
n.a.
13.
Gambia
n.a.
14.
Ghana
n.a.
15.
Guinea
n.a.
16.
Malawi
Chileka (BLZ)
International
Kamuzu (LLW)
17.
Mali
Bamako (BKO)
18.
Mauritania
n.a.
19.
Mauritius
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam
International Airport (MRU)
20.
Morocco
Casablanca (CMN)
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Participating Member
Administrations
21.
Mozambique
Participating Airports (code)
n.a.
Beira Airport (BEW)
Nampula Airport (APL)
Pemba Airport (POL)
22.
Niger
n.a.
23.
Nigeria
n.a.
24.
Senegal
n.a.
25.
Seychelles
Seychelles International Airport (SEZ)
26.
South Africa
O.R. Tambo Int’l Airport (JNB)
King Shaka Int’l Airport (DUR)
Cape Town Int’l Airport (CPT)
Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ)
27.
Tanzania
n.a.
28.
Togo
n.a.
29.
Tunisia
n.a.
30.
Uganda
n.a.
31.
Albania
Tirana Int’l Airport (TIA)
32.
Armenia
Zvartnots (EVN)
33.
Azerbaijan
Heydar Aliyev International (GYD)
34.
Belarus
Minsk (MSQ)
35.
Belgium
Brussels Airport (BRU)
36.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo (SJJ)
37.
Bulgaria
Sofia (SOF)
38.
Croatia
ZAGREB (ZAG)
39.
Czech
Ruzyne (PRG)
40.
Denmark
n.a.
(EUROPE)
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Page 24
Participating Member
Administrations
Participating Airports (code)
41.
Estonia
n.a.
42.
France
Roissy Charles De Gaulle (CDG)
43.
Germany
Frankfort (FRA), Dusseldorf (DUS)
44.
Greece
Athens International Airport (ATH)
45.
Hungary
Ferenc
(BUD)
46.
Iceland
Keflavik International (KEF)
Liszt
International
Airport
Akureyri Airport (AEY)
47.
Ireland
Dublin Airport (DUB)
48.
Israel
Tel Aviv (TLV)
49.
Kazakhstan
Astana (TSE)
50.
Kyrgyzstan
Manas (FRU)
51.
Latvia
Riga Int’l airport (RIX)
52.
Lithuania
Vilnius Int’l Airport (VNO)
Kaunas Int’l Airport (KUN)
Palanga Int’l Airport (PLQ)
53.
Malta
Malta International Airport (MLA)
54.
Moldova
International Airport Chisinau (KIV)
55.
Montenegro
Airport Podgorica (TGD)
Airport Tivat (TIV)
56.
Netherlands
Schiphol Airport (AMS)
57.
Poland
Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW)
58.
Portugal
n.a.
59.
Republic of Macedonia
Airport Alexander The Great (SKP)
Airport St. Paul the Apostle (OHD)
60.
Romania
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n.a.
Page 25
Participating Member
Administrations
Participating Airports (code)
61.
Russian Federation
Domodedovo (DME), Sheremetjevo
(SVO), Vnukovo (VKO), Pulkovo
(LED), Knevichy (VVO), Khabarovsk
(KHV), Koltsovo (SVX).
62.
Serbia
Belgrade (BEG), Nis (INI)
63.
Spain
Madrid (MAD)
64.
Tajikistan
Dushanbe (DYU)
65.
Turkey
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)
Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB)
Antalya ICF Airport (AYT)
66.
United Kingdom
n.a.
67.
Ukraine
n.a.
68.
Uzbekistan
Tashkent (TAS)
(NEAR AND MIDDLE EAST)
69.
Lebanon
Rafic Hariri Int’l Airport (BEY)
70.
United Arab Emirates
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
71.
Qatar
Doha International Airport (DOH)
(ASIA PACIFIC)
72.
Australia
n.a.
73.
China
Guangzhou (CAN)
74.
Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong (HKG)
75.
India
n.a.
76.
Indonesia
All 21 International Airports (HLP,
CGK, BDO, SRG, SUB, SOC, JOG,
BTJ, BTH, PDG, KNO, PLM, PKU, TNJ,
BPN, TRK, PNK, UPG, MDC, DPS,
LOP)
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Participating Member
Administrations
Participating Airports (code)
77.
Japan
Narita (NRT), Kansai(KIX),
Haneda(HND), Chubu(NGO),
Fukuoka(FUK), Chitose(SPK),
Naha(OKA), Hiroshima(HIJ),
Ibaraki(IBR), Kagoshima(KOJ),
Komatsu(KMQ), Matsuyama(MYJ),
Niigata(KIJ), Okayama(OKJ),
Sendai(SDJ), Shizuoka(FSZ),
Takamatsu(TAK), Toyama(TOY),
Yonago(YGJ)
78.
Korea
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
79.
Malaysia
n.a.
80.
Maldives
Nasir Int’l Airport (MLE)
81.
Mongolia
Chinggis Khaan Int’l Airport (ULN)
82.
Nepal
n.a.
83.
New Zealand
Auckland (AKL)
84.
Singapore
Changi (SIN)
85.
Thailand
Suvarnabhumi International Airport
(SIA)
86.
Vietnam
n.a.
87.
Argentine
BUENOS AIRES Metropolitan Airport
(AEP), CORDOBA Intl. Airport (COR),
EZEIZA Intl. Airport (EZE), IGUAZU
Intl. Airport (IGR), MENDOZA Intl.
Airport (MDZ), ROSARIO Intl. Airport
(RCQ), SALTA Intl. Airport (TTG), SAN
FERNANDO Airport (FDO)
88.
Belize
n.a.
89.
Bermuda
n.a.
90.
Bolivia
n.a.
91.
Brazil
Sao Paulo (SAO), Rio de Janeiro
(RIO), Brasilia (BSB), Fortaleza (FOR)
and Porto Alegre (POA)
(AMERICA)
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Page 27
Participating Member
Administrations
Participating Airports (code)
92.
Chile
n.a.
93.
Cuba
n.a.
94.
Dominican Rep.
n.a.
95.
Ecuador
n.a.
96.
El Salvador
n.a.
97.
Guyana
n.a.
98.
Mexico
Mexico City
(MEX),
Guadalajara
(GDL),
International Airport
International
Airport
Cancun International Airport (CUN),
Monterrey International Airport (MTY),
Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)
99.
Nicaragua
n.a.
100.
Panama
n.a.
101.
Paraguay
n.a.
102.
Peru
n.a.
103.
Trinidad & Tobago
n.a.
104.
United States
n.a.
105.
Uruguay
Aeropuerto de Carrasco (MVD)
RILO
Locations
106.
RILO- AP
Korea
107.
RILO – CA
Cameroon
108.
RILO – CIS
Russia
109.
RILO - ECE
Poland
110.
RILO - ME
Saudi Arabia
111.
RILO - WA
Senegal
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Participating Member
Administrations
Participating Airports (code)
112.
RILO – WE
Germany
113.
RILO – SA
Chile
114.
RILO – ESA
Mozambique
115.
INTERPOL (Lyon)
116.
Joint Airport Interdiction Task Force (JAITF) (Dakar, Senegal)
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Annex
This document contains law enforcement sensitive materials
Page 30
II
Annex
This document contains law enforcement sensitive materials
Page 31
II
Annex
III
Table of ALL Narcotics/Precursor cases
Seizure
Message
Seizure date
Seizing
Customs
Direction
Narcotics/Precursor
Quantity
Export
Cannabis - Herbal
Import
Cocaine
1.309 kg
10.27 kg
4
2015-03-07
6
2015-03-07
Mali
Hong Kong,
China
0
2015-03-08
Nigeria
Export
Cannabis - Herbal
10
2015-03-09
Japan
Import
Methamphetamine
11
2015-03-09
Japan
Import
Cannabis - Herbal
13
2015-03-09
Benin
Transit
Methamphetamine
0
2015-03-09
Nigeria
Export
Cannabis - Herbal
15
2015-03-09
Brazil
Import
Methamphetamine
6 kg
16
2015-03-10
Brazil
Export
Cocaine
4 kg
17
2015-03-10
Nigeria
Export
Heroin
1.09 kg
18
2015-03-10
Brazil
Export
Cocaine
4.1 kg
19
2015-03-10
Spain
Import
Ketamine
20
2015-03-10
Export
Cocaine
1.125 kg
0
2015-03-10
Spain
Hong Kong,
China
Import
Cocaine
2.2 kg
22
2015-03-10
Argentina
Export
Cocaine
1.34 kg
23
2015-03-10
South Africa
Export
Cannabis - Herbal
1 kg
24
2015-03-10
South Africa
Transit
Cocaine
1 kg
25
2015-03-10
Argentina
Export
MDMA (ecstasy)
27
2015-03-11
Japan
Import
Methamphetamine
0.251 kg
28
2015-03-11
Japan
Import
Methamphetamine
0.199 kg
30
2015-03-11
Portugal
Import
Cocaine
12.8 kg
31
2015-03-11
Portugal
Transit
Cocaine
5.18 kg
32
2015-03-11
Import
Cannabis - Herbal
33
2015-03-11
Niger
Hong Kong,
China
Import
Cocaine
2 kg
34
2015-03-11
Portugal
Transit
Cocaine
3.72 kg
35
2015-03-11
Mali
Export
Cannabis - Herbal
38
2015-03-12
Nigeria
Import
Cocaine
3.26 kg
39
2015-03-12
Nigeria
Export
Cannabis - Herbal
1.83 kg
40
2015-03-12
Spain
Import
Cocaine
29 kg
41
2015-03-12
Brazil
Export
Cocaine
4.6 kg
42
2015-03-12
Malaysia
Export
Methamphetamine
44
2015-03-12
Cameroon
Import
Cocaine
47
2015-03-12
Chile
Export
Cocaine - Liquid
This document contains law enforcement sensitive materials
8 kg
0.0022 kg
0.00035 kg
5.175 kg
0.86 kg
1.98 kg
0.03 kg
84 kg
8 kg
2.021 kg
3.5 kg
0.331 kg
Page 32
Seizure
Message
Seizure date
Seizing
Customs
Direction
Narcotics/Precursor
54
2015-03-13
South Africa
Import
Khat
55
2015-03-13
South Africa
Import
Heroin
8.59 kg
56
2015-03-13
South Africa
Import
Cocaine
1.3 kg
57
2015-03-13
Peru
Export
Cocaine
1.076 kg
58
2015-03-13
Portugal
Import
Cocaine
3.32 kg
59
2015-03-13
Portugal
Import
Cocaine
8.45 kg
61
2015-03-13
Portugal
Import
Cocaine
5.79 kg
48
2015-03-13
Australia
Import
Methamphetamine
49
2015-03-13
Japan
Import
Cannabis - Herbal
52
2015-03-13
South Africa
Import
Cocaine
0.41 kg
53
2015-03-13
Nigeria
Import
Cocaine
2.155 kg
66
2015-03-13
Import
Psy Drugs - Other
8.33 kg
68
2015-03-13
Niger
Burkina
Faso
Import
Cannabis - Herbal
7.7 kg
69
2015-03-13
Niger
Import
Cannabis - Resin
70
2015-03-13
Niger
Export
Tramadol
9.56 kg
72
2015-03-13
Peru
Export
Cocaine
2.25 kg
73
2015-03-13
Mexico
Import
Cocaine
1.77 kg
75
2015-03-13
Mexico
Import
Cocaine
1.36 kg
76
2015-03-13
Mexico
Import
Cocaine
17.8 kg
77
2015-03-14
Bolivia
Export
Cocaine - Liquid
78
2015-03-14
Mali
Export
Cannabis - Herbal
8 kg
81
2015-03-14
Brazil
Export
Cocaine
3 kg
82
2015-03-14
Panama
Export
Cocaine
8 kg
83
2015-03-14
Peru
Export
Cocaine
0.012 kg
84
2015-03-14
Peru
Export
Cocaine
1.994 kg
85
2015-03-14
Peru
Export
Cocaine
0.255 kg
86
2015-03-15
Peru
Export
Cocaine
14.098 kg
87
2015-03-15
Peru
Export
Cocaine
2.484 kg
88
2015-03-15
Peru
Export
Cocaine
4.445 kg
89
2015-03-15
Peru
Export
Cocaine
38.46 kg
90
2015-03-15
Brazil
Import
Cocaine
1.5 kg
91
2015-03-15
Nigeria
Import
Cocaine
0.74 kg
92
2015-03-16
Poland
Import
Cannabis - Resin
93
2015-03-16
Spain
Import
Cocaine
6.92 kg
94
2015-03-16
Spain
Import
Cocaine
2.15 kg
95
2015-03-16
Spain
Import
Cocaine
0.8 kg
This document contains law enforcement sensitive materials
Quantity
8 kg
2 kg
0.011 kg
2.134 kg
0.9 kg
0.038 kg
Page 33
Seizure
Message
Seizure date
Seizing
Customs
Direction
Narcotics/Precursor
96
2015-03-16
France
Transit
Cocaine
2.011 kg
97
2015-03-16
Belgium
Import
Cocaine
2.62 kg
99
2015-03-16
Belgium
Import
Cocaine
3.615 kg
102
2015-03-16
Nigeria
Import
Cocaine
0.445 kg
104
2015-03-16
Nigeria
Import
Cocaine
0.085 kg
105
2015-03-16
Cuba
Import
Cocaine
0.3 kg
107
2015-03-16
Cuba
Import
Cocaine
0.5 kg
108
2015-03-17
Spain
Import
Cocaine
2.75 kg
109
2015-03-17
Spain
Import
Cocaine
2.75 kg
110
2015-03-17
Spain
Import
Cocaine
0.9 kg
111
2015-03-17
Mauritania
Import
Cannabis - Resin
112
2015-03-17
Portugal
Import
Cocaine
1.7 kg
113
2015-03-17
Portugal
Import
Cocaine
2.974 kg
115
2015-03-17
Cuba
Import
Cannabis - Herbal
121
2015-03-17
Niger
Export
Cannabis - Resin
122
2015-03-17
Transit
Cocaine
5.34 kg
123
2015-03-17
Import
Tramadol
1000 kg
124
2015-03-18
Cuba
United Arab
Emirates
Russian
Federation
Import
Cocaine
0.781 kg
126
2015-03-18
Portugal
Transit
Cocaine
2.19 kg
130
2015-03-19
Belgium
Import
Khat
70 kg
131
2015-03-19
Belgium
Import
Khat
41 kg
132
2015-03-19
Panama
Export
Cocaine
11 kg
133
2015-03-19
Togo
Import
Cannabis - Herbal
2042 kg
136
2015-03-20
Niger
Import
Cannabis - Resin
1.75 kg
137
2015-03-20
Cuba
Import
Cocaine
1 kg
139
2015-03-20
Benin
Import
Cocaine
0.583 kg
140
2015-03-20
Benin
Import
Heroin
1.615 kg
141
2015-03-20
Brazil
Import
Cannabis - Herbal
143
2015-03-20
Brazil
Export
Cocaine
144
2015-03-20
Brazil
Import
Methamphetamine
145
2015-03-20
Brazil
Import
Psy Drugs - Other
146
2015-03-20
Brazil
Export
Cocaine
147
2015-03-21
Panama
Export
Heroin
1 kg
148
2015-03-21
Panama
Export
Heroin
1.44 kg
149
2015-03-21
Panama
Export
Cocaine
0.91 kg
151
2015-03-22
Senegal
Transit
Methamphetamine
This document contains law enforcement sensitive materials
Quantity
0.15 kg
29 kg
1.419 kg
0.0339 kg
6 kg
0.113 kg
5.26 kg
9.6 kg
15 kg
Page 34
Seizure
Message
Seizure date
Seizing
Customs
Direction
Narcotics/Precursor
152
2015-03-24
Kuwait
Import
Heroin
153
2015-03-24
Senegal
Import
Amphetamine
3.485 kg
159
2015-03-26
Qatar
Import
Cannabis - Herbal
0.016 kg
160
2015-03-26
Qatar
Import
Cannabis - Herbal
0.006 kg
161
2015-03-26
Qatar
Import
Psy Drugs - Other
0.14 kg
162
2015-03-26
Qatar
Import
Psy Drugs - Other
0.056 kg
164
2015-03-30
Angola
Transit
Cocaine
2.77 kg
165
2015-03-30
Angola
Transit
Cocaine
2.885 kg
166
2015-04-01
Togo
Transit
Cocaine
1.16 kg
167
2015-04-01
Togo
Transit
Cocaine
0.86 kg
168
2015-04-01
Import
Cocaine
0.28 kg
169
2015-04-02
Export
Methamphetamine
1.875 kg
170
2015-04-02
Export
Amphetamine
2.105 kg
172
2015-04-23
Export
Poppy Straw
0.001 kg
173
2015-04-23
Import
Psy Drugs - Other
0.5 kg
174
2015-04-23
Togo
Hong Kong,
China
Hong Kong,
China
Russian
Federation
Russian
Federation
Russian
Federation
Import
Psy Drugs - Other
0.005 kg
This document contains law enforcement sensitive materials
Quantity
1 kg
Page 35
Annex IV
Cases of Interest
(1)
Large seizure of methamphetamine on 9 March 2015 indicating a new trafficking route
– by Brazilian Customs (Seizure Message 15)
6 kg of methamphetamine importing from France
was made by Brazilian Customs with an arrest of a
young Brazilian male air passenger. The routing
of methamphetamine going from Europe to South
America is very rare, indicating a new trend that
South America could have become a destination
country.
-
(2)
Concealment : Bottom of luggage
Route : France > Lisboa, Portugal >
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Other seizure of methamphetamine on 13 March 2015 indicating the same new routing
– by Brazilian Customs (Seizure Message 144)
Seizure of 0.113 kg of methamphetamine importing
from The Netherlands was made by Brazilian
Customs
-
(3)
Concealment : Inside the surveillance
camera in an express courier parcel
Route : Netherlands > Sao Paulo, Brazil
Seizure of cocaine by internal concealment on 12 March 2015 based on OCU’s risk
profiling on PNR information (Seizure Message 139)
An encouraging seizure of 0.583 kg of cocaine swallowed by a Guinea-Bissau male air passenger
was made by Customs officers of Benin. This case stemmed from the OCU’s effort on scrutinizing
vast amount of PNR data and eventually identified a passenger with suspicious routing. Alert
message was issued by OCU.
-
Suspicious itinerary based on passenger’s nationality, ports taken and flights
Route : Sao Paulo, Brazil > South Africa > Cotonou, Benin
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Page 36
(4)
Multiple seizures of cocaine based on OCU’s risk profiling on PNR information
(Seizure Messages 53, 91, 102 and 104)
Another encouraging achievement with multiple seizures of internally concealed cocaine by air
passengers were made by Nigerian Customs. The cases were also based on the OCU’s analysis
on PNR data and several alert messages providing identities of the suspects.
-
-
-
-
(5)
Swallowed cocaine of 2.155 kg with arrest of
a 45 years old Nigerian man. Route : Sao
Paulo, Brazil > UAE > Lagos, Nigeria
Swallowed cocaine of 0.74 kg with arrest of a
28 years old Nigerian man. Route : Sao
Paulo, Brazil > UAE > Lagos, Nigeria
Swallowed cocaine of 0.445 kg with arrest of
a 26 years old Nigerian man. Route : Sao
Paulo, Brazil > Qatar > Lagos, Nigeria
Swallowed cocaine of 0.085 kg with arrest of
a 35 years of Nigerian man. Route : Sao
Paulo, Brazil > Qatar > Lagos, Nigeria
Significant seizure of 3,000,000 tablets of tramadol (a psychoactive drug) by air freight
– by Dubai Customs (Seizure Message 123)
A significant seizure was made by Dubai Customs of
3,000,000 tablets of tramadol from air freight cargo.
-
(6)
Packed tablets in sale condition
Route : Mumbai, India > Dubai, UAE
Seizure of 1,700 pieces of diamond on 11 March 2015 by body packing on air
passenger – by Brazilian Customs (Seizure Message 37)
1,700 high valued diamonds packed on a Brazilian male
air passenger were discovered by Brazilian Customs.
Suspected of tax and duty evasion.
-
Total weight of 750 grams and with estimated
value of USD 500,000
Concealment : at the back wrapped by
underwear
Route : United States > Sao Paulo, Brazil
Joint Operation by Customs and Police
This document contains law enforcement sensitive materials
Page 37
(7)
Seizure of 1 pistol handgun on 9 March 2015 – by Customs of Cote d’Ivoire (Seizure
Message 50)
Customs officers of Cote d’Ivoire demonstrated their
effectiveness in curbing serious crime by intercepting 1
pistol from the baggage of a 41 years old man.
-
(8)
Route : Istanbul, Turkey > Abidjan, Cote
d’Ivoire
Seizure of 1 revolver handgun on 6 March 2015 – by Romanian Customs (Seizure
Message 127)
Romanian Customs officers intercepted a express
parcel with a revolver gun. These two cases mark the
very important role of Customs at the first line of
defense of public security and against possible terrorist
attacks.
-
-
Concealed inside express courier mail
parcel
22’ Magnum revolver handgun and 740
bullets of the same caliber were found
inside the parcel at the same time
Route (exporting) : Timisoara, Romania >
United States
This document contains law enforcement sensitive materials
Page 38
Annex V
3
JOINT CUSTOMS OPERATION WESTERLIES 3
ASSESSMENT OF THE OBJECTIVES AND EVALUATION
Member Administration/State:
(1)
Objectives : For each objective, please mark with an "X" in the proper case
Operational Objectives
Objective
Achieved
Partially
achieved
Not
achieved
Not
applicable
Achieved
Partially
achieved
Not
achieved
Not
applicable
Intercepting methamphetamine and other drugs
smuggled by air passengers;
Applying the know-how gained and best practices in
real-life situations
Raising the level of Customs control at the
international airports;
Enriching the operational intelligence (identify and
update risk indicators and profiles);
Identifying members of the criminal groups/syndicates
committed to the illicit trafficking in drugs through
backtrack investigations;
Dismantling the clandestine production sites in the
sourcing countries;
Improving and developing risk indicators for more
accurate targeting of high-risk air passengers.
Strategic Objectives
Objective
Capitalizing on enhanced Customs controls on
departing and/or arriving air passengers at global
level to counter illicit trafficking in methamphetamine
and other narcotic drugs;
Gaining a clearer snapshot of the identified emerging
threats related to illicit trafficking in methamphetamine
and other drugs by air passengers and determining
further concerted actions as appropriate ;
Demonstrating the determination and solidarity
among the international Customs community towards
achieving the shared goals.
Promoting practical co-operation with Police
authorities and other relevant competent authorities
This document contains law enforcement sensitive materials
Page 39
(2) CENcomm application
Please provide your level of appreciation concerning the communication tool
1 = lowest score and 5 = highest score
1
Mark your assessment by an X
2
3
4
5
Creating messages (warning, feedback
and seizure/detention messages)
Use of CENcomm Email
Use of library
(3) Information and services provided for this operation
Please provide your level of appreciation of the information and services available
1 = lowest score and 5 = highest score
1
Mark your assessment by an X
2
3
4
5
Operational Plan (clear and useable)
Circular Notes (clear and useable)
Information available in the CENcomm
library (sufficient and useable)
Support of the OCU (added value of the
OCU)
Information during operation (e.g.
newsletters) (sufficient and useable)
Other comments and proposals for changes:
Please return via email by Wednesday, 15 April 2015 to [email protected]
Thank you for your cooperation.
This document contains law enforcement sensitive materials
Page 40