In order to strengthen the fight against illicit trade in Panama, Colombia and Ecuador, the III High Level Meeting of the Public-Private Regional Alliance “COEPA” was held in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, and thus to publicize the latest initiatives of friendly nations to face organized crime, one of the great scourges of these times.

This meeting is of vital importance for the three countries with historical links, to have a multidimensional perspective of illicit trade in the region, from the academic and private perspectives that are two indispensable sectors in each society for research, as well as economic development.

During the meeting, as part of the official mission it carries out, the National Director of Customs Tayra Barsallo, together with the Director of the National Customs Service of Ecuador Ralph Steven Suastegui, signed a memorandum of understanding between customs authorities.

This firm includes points such as collaboration, prevention, investigation against customs infractions to guarantee the international supply that is valid for three years that can be extended.

In turn, the signing of the memorandum will include the exchange of knowledge in customs matters, exchange of best practices in operations, training of officials and exchange of customs information in order to prevent, investigate and combat.