In the framework of the WCO – WACAM Project, funded by Sweden, the WCO is building the capacities of Guinea Customs to effectively engage with its stakeholders with facilitating trade and combatting the flow of illicit goods.

From 30 January to 3 February 2017, a delegation of WCO experts delivered a workshop on the WCO enforcement tool known as COPES (Compendium of Customs Operational Practices for Enforcement and Seizures). The workshop aimed at raising awareness of Guinea Customs and other border agencies’ officials on methodological aspects as well as best-practices related to collecting evidence from seizures. The 5-day interactive workshop was highly appreciated and benefitted 24 participants from Customs, Police, Gendarmerie, OCLAD (National Anti-drugs Agency) and “Eaux et Forêts” (National Environmental Agency). This workshop provided some key elements and orientation to the representatives of the government of the Republic of Guinea to enhance coordinated border management and cooperation in enforcement-related matters.

Based on this workshop, the agencies have committed to apply some of the learning points through a joint inter-agency enforcement operation in the second half of 2017. The WCO-WACAM Project will support Guinea in this endeavor. It is also worth noting that the project is facilitating the acquisition and installation of the nCEN database in Guinea by the end of February 2017, hence ensuring that Guinea is equipped both in competencies and equipment to successfully carry out enforcement activities.

For more information about the COPES Project, please contact Mr. Gilles Thomas (Gilles.Thomas@wcoomd.org).

For more information on the WCO – WACAM Project, please contact Richard Chopra (Richard.Chopra@wcoomd.org).