Portugal is identified as the primary entry point for criminal networks originating from South and Central America. To combat such activities, the Maritime Police has implemented surveillance actions and systems, utilizing drones and foot patrols, stated the Director-General of AMN and Commander-General of the Maritime Police.
“However, we can never guarantee 100% effectiveness,” admitted Vice-Admiral Nuno Chaves Ferreira during a statement on the sidelines of the seminar ‘Police Action at Sea – Challenges’, organized by AMN in Sines, in the Setúbal district.
To counteract these forms of crime, such as increasingly sophisticated drug trafficking networks or maritime piracy, the Vice-Admiral advocated for the introduction of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, to streamline procedures.
“The detection and identification of these networks result from criminal investigation processes that occur over years or months,” he explained, “resulting in a set of data and information that needs to be processed.”
He further elaborated that new technologies, such as Big Data Processing linked to artificial intelligence, play a crucial role in fighting criminal networks.
“These technologies can pinpoint where such actions and attempts to introduce narcotics into our territory are likely to occur, track drug traffickers’ networks, and monitor suspect vessels,” ensured the Vice-Admiral.
These tools, he added, can aid authorities in accelerating the understanding of these drug trafficking networks and all types of crime.
Speaking to Lusa, the Director-General of the Maritime Authority pointed out that “these crimes and actions against societies have become increasingly frequent,” yet the Maritime Police remains vigilant.
“These are situations that endanger our communities, arising from the threats that are felt worldwide, especially at sea, which is exploited by all criminal networks,” he argued.
Regarding the Port of Sines, the Commander-General noted that while it is “strategic for the national economy,” it has not been frequently used for attempts to introduce narcotics.
Nonetheless, this “does not mean that it can’t happen, and all possibilities remain on the table,” he conceded.
“Typically, these drug trafficking networks attempt to introduce narcotics via smaller ships that then transfer to fast boats, which are harder to catch and detect,” he stated.
This “does not rule out the possibility of narcotics being aboard container ships, potentially disguised, although usually, those ships do not head to Portugal,” he continued.
The seminar ‘Police Action at Sea – Challenges’ is part of the 106th anniversary celebrations of the Maritime Police, ongoing in the city of Sines, with a series of activities until next Sunday.
