Liberia hosts customs meeting on cross-border crime
More than 40 delegates from 17 West and Central African nations met in Margibi County to enhance intelligence sharing.
Customs officials and intelligence officers from 17 West and Central African countries are meeting in Liberia to strengthen their fight against cross-border crime. The 17th Joint Annual Meeting of National Contact Points of the World Customs Organization Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices is being held at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County. The Liberia Revenue Authority is hosting the weeklong forum, which focuses on improving intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement against smuggling and other transnational crimes.
Amadou Tidiane Cisse, Director General of RILO West Africa, opened the meeting on Monday, calling it a critical platform for cooperation. He stated that sharing intelligence helps disrupt criminal networks involved in trafficking narcotics, counterfeit medicines, and protected wildlife. Liberia’s Commissioner of Customs, Saa Saamoi, highlighted the urgent need for stronger regional intelligence sharing and coordinated border enforcement, noting that criminal groups exploit system weaknesses.
Delegates will review recommendations from the previous meeting in Bamako, Mali, and examine issues related to intelligence exchange, data quality, and regional operations. They will also discuss the use of WCO Customs Enforcement Network platforms. The meeting aims to develop practical recommendations and establish follow-up mechanisms for implementing decisions.
Why it mattersThe meeting in Liberia aims to strengthen intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement to combat cross-border crime, directly affecting the security and safety of communities in West and Central Africa.