More than 336 kilos of drugs were seized and 48 people arrested in actions at airports in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo
Air Force Agency, Lieutenant Marize Torres
With the actions of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) in interagency missions with the Federal Police (PF) and the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service (RFB), more than 336 kilos of drugs have been seized and 48 people arrested at Galeão airport in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Guarulhos airport in São Paulo (SP). The actions were carried out as part of Operation Air Bridge, which completed 120 days on Tuesday (05/03).
According to the Head of the Federal Police Station at Galeão Airport, Delegate Jackson Rimac Rosales Allanic, the success of the Operation is related to the integration between the agencies and the treatment developed between the institutions, in strict compliance with the attributions of each one. Delegate Rosales also points out that the figures are successful because they reflect the joint effort and the fundamental support of the FAB. “The FAB’s cooperation is a success because it has its own characteristics, especially the differentiated logistical activity, which contributes greatly to the success of this work,” he said.
Inter-agency missions carried out in 120 days
Since the Operation began on November 6, 2023, under Decree 11,765, 161,511 people and 20,252 vehicles have been searched by FAB military personnel, including 310 aircraft, in accordance with the protocol for approaching and searching the population in GLO operations, an activity that involves discretion and respect for the rights of employees and passengers. The patrols already total 6,300 hours.
In all, there have already been 838 interagency missions through preventive and repressive actions carried out at airports, which hinder the actions of criminal factions in the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The activities involve the operational areas of the airports, baggage handling, inspection of suspicious cargo or passengers and employees. They also rely on the help of sniffer dogs, patrols of airport perimeters with the use of vehicles and military personnel working at sensitive points, as well as patrols in the lounges. Sniffing activities alone total almost 1,200 hours and the volume of inspections has already exceeded 174,000 cubic meters.
According to the FAB Commander of the operation, Air Brigadier Helmer Barbosa Gilberto, the figures reflect the efforts of the agencies and operators of the airports, RioGaleão and GruAirport. “Thanks to our joint efforts with these agencies, we were successful, as shown by the overwhelming numbers, not only in terms of the volume of drugs seized, but also in terms of the number of people searched and arrested. We hope that integration will continue to be a strong link in the fight against illegal activities at these airports,” he said.
Troop training
In this scenario, infantry troops from different regions of Brazil are deployed. For the Chief of Staff of Operation Air Bridge, Infantry Colonel Paulo César Milaré, the activities in coordination with the agencies favor the validation of operational procedures and the assessment of the need for doctrinal improvements for the Infantry troops.
“The actions of the Air Force’s Aeronautical Police and Facilities Security, specifically in the operational activities of access control, electronic surveillance, roadblocking and control, and the use of war dogs in sniffing missions and ostentatious policing contribute to the fight against drug trafficking, weapons and other illicit conduct in the polygonal areas of airports,” he said.
Photos: FAB *** Translated by DEFCONPress FYI Team ***