Cape Verde is a small country consisting of a number of islands off the west coast of Africa.  It has a fast-growing tourist sector that is benefiting the economy and thus the people of Cape Verde.  It has recently graduated from the group of countries formally classified by the UN as Least Developed Countries.  But its geography and location make it vulnerable to exploitation by international trafficking groups.

The Government of Cape Verde is working to improve the way it patrols and protects its extensive coastlines and waters to prevent drug and people traffickers using the islands as a transit point.  So, to help share the UK’s own expertise in this area, the Royal Navy undertook a joint training exercise with the Cape Verdian Coastguard and law enforcement authorities.

The exercise consisted of a simulated tracking and interception of a suspect boat leading to law enforcement authorities boarding the boat to arrest the suspects.  British Ambassador to Cape Verde, Christopher Trott, said “ [international effort on international issues that affect both our countries; impact/outcome; great success] “.