Mexico joins UN programme to combat illicit trade in containers

The Container Control Programme aims at minimising the use of ports for activities such as illicit trade using containers for trafficking drugs, precursor chemicals, weapons, wildlife, or even counterfeit goods.

Less than 2% of the 500 million are delivered annually in the trade supply chain are inspected. The volume of containers transiting across the seas from country to country and continent to continent makes them a major target for trade in illicit goods.

In Mexico, the implementation of the Programme makes it a pioneering initiative of the Bicentennial Understanding on Security, Public Health and Safe Communities between Mexico and the United States. In addition to the financial resources provided by the Government of Mexico, support has also been received from the United States Government, through the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau (INL).

UNODC Representative in Mexico, Kristian Hölge, highlighted that "with the incorporation of Mexico into the CCP, the American continent has taken a big step towards improving maritime and port security cooperation. The Container Control Programme is precisely the intelligent application of the law. CCP is smart cooperation.”

"Mexico joins the 74 countries that through the Container Control Programme are seeking to build more assertive policies and links to detect and screen containers with the aim of disrupting the trafficking of drugs, arms and illicit goods. This is a great example of how multilateralism and the Bicentennial Understanding with the United States strengthen security cooperation and provide effective responses to national, regional, and global problems,” said Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Alicia Barcena.

The Container Control Programme will start in the Port of Manzanillo and will seek expansion to Ensenada and Lazaro Cardenas on the Pacific coast; Altamira and Veracruz on the Atlantic coast.

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