Monrovia, Nov. 11 -- Customs authorities across West and Central Africa have pledged to intensify intelligence-sharing, strengthen cross-border enforcement and deepen regional cooperation as governments confront increasingly sophisticated networks involved in smuggling, illicit trafficking, customs fraud and transnational organized crime.

The commitment emerged from the 17th Joint Annual Meeting of National Contact Points (NCPs) of the World Customs Organization's (WCO) Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILO) for West and Central Africa, hosted by the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County from November 2 to 6.

More than 40 delegates representing over 17 countries, alongside regional and internati...