As part of the COPES Programme, a training course, organized in partnership with Benin Customs, was delivered from 24 to 28 September 2018 in Cotonou, Benin, and brought together 24 Benin Customs officers.

Having embarked on a general process of modernization, including an improvement of its anti-fraud mechanism, Benin Customs had sought the support of the WCO Secretariat. As such, it wished to train a number of its managers and agents in the latest techniques of evidence collection, seizure and investigation. This five-day training focuses on security threats. It then covers the entire spectrum of customs law enforcement activities from the finding to the conviction to the collection of evidence and seizures. The standards taught must allow for judicial investigation and prosecution where appropriate.

The training also officially accredited the first COPES regional trainer for the Africa region. The role of these regional trainers will be of crucial importance as they will promote the best know-how gathered from our members and supported by the COPES programme.