Increased cooperation to combat drug trafficking

type: News , Topic: Security , Date: 27 February 2024

Federal Minister of the Interior Faeser signs joint declaration with Brazil

In the Brazilian capital Brasília, Federal Minister of the Interior and Community Nancy Faeser met for talks with Brazil’s Minister of Justice and Public Security Enrique Ricardo Lewandowski. Brazil and Germany already enjoy effective police cooperation. The two countries now want to expand this cooperation in order to clamp down on organised crime, especially drug-related crime. The ministers signed a declaration of intent on increased police cooperation to combat organised crime and drug trafficking.

quote:

"I advocate for stronger action against trafficking in cocaine and other drugs, as well as greater international coordination."

Bundesinnenministerin Nancy Faeser in Brasilien.

Increasing police cooperation

The two countries aim to improve cooperation through joint investigation teams (JIT). "In future, we want to strengthen the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking through joint investigation teams – from the very beginning of investigations and without complicated processes," Federal Minister Faeser said. In addition, the two countries agreed on a close exchange of information on the methods and approaches of organised crime groups. They also agreed to promote training and further education programmes. One longer-term aim is to process German-Brazilian narcotics cases via mutual legal assistance.

Brazil is one of the main countries of transit for smuggling cocaine to Europe. Federal Minister Faeser is joined on her tour by Vice-President of the Federal Criminal Police (BKA) Martina Link. They learned more about the challenges for police, for example in the Amazon region, and about projects dedicated to reducing crime. These topics were presented by a representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Bundesinnenministerin Nancy Faeser besucht Brasilien und trifft am 26.02.2024 in Brasilia den Generaldirektor der Bundespolizei

Gebäude der Bundespolizei in Brasilia - Ausblick auf die Stadt.

Source: Laurin Schmid

Innovation in the public administration and cyber security

During her visit, Federal Minister Faeser also met with Brazil’s Minister of Management and Innovation in Public Services Esther Dweck to discuss digital transformation in the public administration. In this context, the ministers discussed Germany’s Online Access Amendment Act which was recently passed.
Federal Minister Faeser also discussed cyber threats and the fight against disinformation with Marcos Antonio Amaro dos Santos, Brazil’s Minister of the Institutional Security Office of the Presidency of the Republic. Minister Santos’ remit includes the intelligence services. The ministers agreed to continue an exchange at working level.

The fight against organised crime - next steps

Federal Minister Faeser will continue her tour until 2 March 2024, with further political talks in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. "We want to establish direct operational cooperation between our police authorities", the Minister said. "And we want to help reduce the destruction that drug cartels bring to the countries of origin through violence, corruption and environmental devastation."

Map of South America with Minister Faeser’s itinerary (Brasil, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia). Source: BMI Map of South America with Minister Faeser’s itinerary (Brasil, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia).

More information on the travel to South America

Fighting drug cartels: Federal Interior Minister Faeser achieves agreements on closer police cooperation with Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia type: press release

Talks also focus on working together to fight human trafficking, money laundering and environmental destruction

New coalitions formed in South America type: News

Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser visited Colombia as part of her efforts to fight international organised drug trafficking

"Germany shares responsibility as a target market" type: News

Federal Interior Minister Faeser consults on the rise in drug-related crime in Ecuador

Port security: crucial to the fight against drug trafficking type: News

Peru and Germany intend to expand security partnership.

Fighting organised crime: Germany and Peru intend to conclude security agreement type: press release

Federal Minister of the Interior Faeser and Peruvian Interior Minister Torres Falcón sign declaration of intent