Context
The term General Aviation (GA) encompasses all civil aviation operations that are not classified as commercial air transport. It includes small and private aircrafts, business travel, agricultural application, emergency medical aircrafts, etc. In recent years GA is increasingly being exploited by organised crime syndicates for the transportation of illicit goods due to its speed, discretion and cost-effectiveness.
Not only is private aviation particularly suited for transporting large quantities of contraband, it is also subject to less stringent inspection mechanisms from the police, customs or flight security measures, compared to commercial flights.
Overall objective
Project COLIBRI strengthens the fight against organised crime networks using General Aviation in target regions, by improving security in this sensitive sector and stepping up international coordination and cooperation between Law Enforcement Administrations (LEAs), competent authorities and criminal justice institutions.
Specific objectives
- Increase the regular and effective control operations on General Aviation by LEAs and other competent authorities.
- Combat customs fraud and illicit trafficking at major international airports and domestic airfields in the designated regions.
- Promote political and legal measures to enhance GA controls and international, inter-agency cooperation.
Concrete activities
- Capacity Building: IT tutoring and mentoring missions in selected countries.
- Regional Seminars: A COLIBRI Regional Seminar is scheduled to be held in Latin America in October 2025.
- COLIBRI Operations: Operation COLIBRI Paramuno, concluded in March 2025, brought together 87 participating agencies in a coordinated and concerted effort to detect contraband, identify emerging trends, routes and methods used by criminal networks.
- Webinars: Sessions on the Geoportal enhanced understanding and utilisation of this secure platform used for real-time monitoring and information sharing.
- Project duration
- 1 Apr 2023 - 30 Sep 2026
- Project locations
- ArgentinaBeninBoliviaBrazilCabo VerdeColombiaCôte d’IvoireDominican RepublicEcuadorGhanaMaliMauritaniaNigeriaParaguayPeruSenegalThe GambiaTogoUruguay
- Overall budget
- €4 500 000
- Threat area
- Fight against Organised Crime
Results
- GA is acknowledged as a significant threat by national administrations and LEAs, with increased awareness among relevant stakeholders.
- Consistent sharing of data through the Geoportal towards strengthening risk analysis capabilities.
- Improved operational coordination among agencies across the different regions.
- Regular and comprehensive training on GA activities and effective control measures for field officers, with a focus on international airports, secondary aerodromes and border areas.
Achievements
- Platform Development: Successful development and deployment of the Geoportal Platform and its Mobile Application.
- Capacity building: National training sessions, mentoring, IT tutoring, expert meetings and pre-accreditation workshops conducted.
- Training Sessions: Train-the-Trainers sessions and webinars on the Geoportal and CENcomm.
- Operational Successes: Significant seizures and interceptions by supported partner countries during operations, including:
- Operation COLIBRI Rutilant: 948 kg of cocaine seized, clandestine runways discovered, and aircraft immobilised.
- Operation COLIBRI Paramuno: 2.2 tonnes of drugs seized, weapons confiscated, over 100 undeclared runways uncovered and aircraft impounded for fiscal fraud.
- Publications: Technical Handbook for Training on Monitoring and Controlling General Aviation and Geoportal Manual published in four languages (EN, FR, ES, PT).