As part of the COPES Programme, a training course organized in partnership with the Benin Customs Administration was run between 24 and 28 September 2018 in Cotonou, Benin. It was attended by 24 Customs officials.

The Benin Customs Administration has embarked on a general process of modernization, including, in particular, improvements to its enforcement arrangements. It therefore welcomed the offer of support from the WCO Secretariat, which made it possible to provide training to a number of its managers and officials on the latest techniques for gathering evidence, making seizures and carrying out investigations. The five-day training course focused primarily on risks associated with security threats, and covered the broad spectrum of Customs enforcement activities, from the initial report right through to conviction, not forgetting evidence gathering and seizure techniques. The ultimate goal of applying the standards taught during the training course is to ensure that proceedings can be initiated against perpetrators and prosecutions secured where appropriate.

The training course also enabled the first regional COPES trainer for the Africa region to gain official accreditation. These regional trainers will play a vital role in promoting best practice based on WCO Members’ experiences and advocated by the COPES Programme.

For more information on the COPES Programme, please contact Mr. Gilles Thomas (gilles.thomas@wcoomd.org).