01/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Sunday 30 September seven European countries set up an operational centre for fighting drug trafficking in the Atlantic. This trade is mainly cocaine from South America. The agreement creating the MAOC-N - maritime Analysis and Operations Center - Narcotics) was signed by minsters from seven European Union countries: Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom. This centre which currently employs two agents per country, will be open to other EU member states. The US will have observer status. The Portuguese minister of justice, Alberto Costa, said that this mechanism has been operational since spring 2007 and has helped in the seizure of 9 tonnes of cocaine during 12 joint operations. (bc)