Smuggling Networks Use Tactics Similar to Sanctions Evaders

• •Smuggling and sanctions evasion tactics are nearly identical.
• •A Mali-flagged vessel went dark for over three weeks while evading detection.
• •The intelligence methods used for sanctions evasion apply equally to narcotics smuggling.

A recent analysis reveals that vessels involved in smuggling narcotics and those evading sanctions utilize similar tactics to avoid detection. Techniques such as prolonged dark activity, ship-to-ship transfers, and fraudulent flags are common in both profiles. For instance, a Mali-flagged cargo vessel went dark for over three weeks off Libya after changing its flag to a fraudulent registry. The intelligence that identifies one type of vessel is equally applicable to the other, highlighting a shared problem in maritime operations. The report emphasizes that compliance and enforcement communities have historically treated these issues separately, despite the overlapping methodologies. The analysis indicates that the behavioral patterns of these vessels do not differentiate between the nature of their cargo. This convergence of tactics suggests a need for integrated approaches in monitoring and enforcement.