World Customs Organization (WCO)

In January 2007, the EMCDDA and the World Customs Organization signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Lisbon, with the aim of enhancing international drug control efforts.

The agreement builds on over a decade of cooperation between the two organisations. In 1993, at the EMCDDA’s inception, the WCO was named as one of the agency’s six priority international partners and has since provided yearly data for its Annual report on the state of the drugs problem in Europe.

The EMCDDA and WCO have a common interest in monitoring and cutting cross-border crime, money laundering and drug trafficking. Under the terms of the Memorandum, they collaborate to collect, analyse, publish and disseminate information on drug seizures, drug smuggling and the diversion of precursors as well as making the best use of resources and existing data. The cooperation also covers the exchange of expertise and knowledge between technical staff and participation in expert meetings and training courses.