The Hampshire Police have shared their tactics with the African Crime Squad to tackle serious organized crime.
Officials have trained the Nigerian National Drug Enforcement Agency on how to intercept and board ships, use technical equipment and build a more robust command structure.
The team was spotted at Humble also passing the Hythe ferry.
Marine Support Police Officer Ben Popham said: “It has been a brilliant few weeks of working with NDLEA officers and exchanging our tactics to help them in their fight against serious organized crime.
“These criminal networks often infiltrate the UK, so working with officials who go to the source of these networks can benefit the UK as well.”
Superintendent Adrian Hall of the Joint Operations Unit said: “I am delighted that our Specialist Officers from the Maritime Support Unit have been able to share their extensive experience and skills with our overseas law enforcement counterparts.
“The value of such a customized training package for these officers cannot be underestimated. This will help them a lot in the fight against serious organized crime.”
Home Office Deputy Director of International Operations Nick Fowler added: “We are very grateful to the Hampshire Maritime Support Unit and the Isle of Wight Police for sharing their experience with our Nigerian counterparts at the National Drug Enforcement Agency.
“Supporting our operational colleagues around the world by sharing experiences on such initiatives is a key element in disrupting the transnational criminal value chains affecting communities around the world and reducing the supply of dangerous drugs to the UK.”
Author: Shivalika Puri.
