EU agency will restrict cocaine trafficking

A NEW EU agency will clamp down on the trafficking of cocaine into Ireland and the rest of western Europe, Justice Minister Brian Lenihan said yesterday.

He said the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics) would “vastly increase” the monitoring of suspect ships in Irish waters.

The centre — based in Portugal — brings together the intelligence and resources of seven EU states, including those with significant naval strength, such as Britain, France and Spain.