WCO FORUM - Paving the way for a new era in General Aviation Control

According to new assessments from the World Customs Organization (WCO), General Aviation (GA) is emerging as a growing security concern within the global supply chain. Small private aircraft are increasingly being used by organized crime groups (OCGs) to move illicit goods across borders with minimal oversight.

GA includes all civil aviation outside commercial air transport. Therefore, unlike commercial flights, GA operations frequently rely on remote or secondary airfields where permanent Customs presence, inspection facilities and administrative controls are often limited or nonexistent. These gaps create favorable conditions for traffickers seeking discreet transport channels.

Relevant law enforcement agencies report that many GA aircraft can land, refuel, load cargo, and depart with little surveillance. In some regions, limited radar coverage and outdated infrastructure allow pilots to fly without transponders or conduct low-altitude routes without being detected. While GA is not the primary channel for smuggling it offers criminal networks a fast and low-risk means to move narcotics, synthetic drugs, currency, weapons, and other contraband.

WCO expands international effort to counter GA-based trafficking

The WCO has launched a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening Member's abilities to monitor and control GA activity.

COLIBRI and Synthetic Drugs Detection Projects

Introduced in 2019 and funded by the European Union, the COLIBRI Project focuses on curbing illicit trafficking via GA in Latin America, the Caribbean, and West and Central Africa-regions identified as major transit zones for airborne smuggling.

In 2023, the WCO expanded its efforts through the Synthetic Drugs Detection Project (SDDP), supported by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The GA component focuses on Central America and the Caribbean where authorities report rising synthetic drug flows.

These WCO-led initiatives and joint efforts of both projects aim to improve risk assessment, strengthen operational readiness at GA airports, and enhance cooperation between Customs services, civil aviation authorities, and law enforcement agencies.

New Geo-Intelligence platform boosts monitoring capacity

Launched in 2022, the Geoportal, a digital mapping and geolocation platform created under the COLIBRI Project was a key development enabling agencies to collect and analyze GA data and share intelligence across borders in real time. The platform has become critical for monitoring high-risk aircraft movements and identifying suspicious flight patterns. Active use of the Geoportal has risen by 85% since its deployment.

Training, operations, and regional cooperation expansion

Since the start of its GA-focused programme the WCO has carried out a wide range of operational and capacity-building efforts, including:

• 30 basic training sessions
• 14 national mentoring missions
• 4 regional meetings
• 2 major international operations, RUTILANT in 2023 and PARAMUNO in 2025
• Engagement with 25 countries, more than 100 administrations and organizations, and 4 partner institutions (MAOC-N[1], OAS-CICAD[2], CARICOM IMPACS[3], RSS[4])

More than 930 practitioners have participated in these activities so far. The growing misuse of GA represents an evolving challenge within global border security and increased international coordination will be essential to address it. The WCO is leading efforts in this area through training, operations and the sharing of best practices.

WCO Forum: Milestone in General Aviation and Control

Building on this work, the WCO launched the Forum on General Aviation Control, the first event bringing together stakeholders from the Americas[5] and West and Central Africa to discuss national experiences, coordinate enforcement strategies, and strengthen cross-regional cooperation.

The Forum took place from 9-12 December 2025 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and was jointly organized by the EU-funded COLIBRI Project and the INL-funded Synthetic Drugs Detection Project, with support from the host administration, the Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero (ARCA). With over 100 attendees coming from different international organizations, the Forum's success was outstanding and paves the way for a new era in GA.

The goal of this Forum was to improve transregional cooperation by deepening engagement among Customs and law enforcement agencies, particularly to counter drug trafficking and other contraband movements into Europe, the United States and other regions.

Outcomes at the conclusion of the four days included strengthened enforcement strategies, improved risk assessment, harmonized operational practices and renewed commitments to prepare for the next international GA operation in 2026.

[1] Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics)

[2] The Organization of American States - The Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (known by its Spanish language acronym, CICAD)

[3] The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS)

[4] The Regional Security System in the Caribbean

[5] North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean