Operation Air Bridge’s sniffing action complements x-ray inspection of cargo and luggage
Source: Lieutenant Fernanda – III COMAR
Operation Air Bridge, carried out by the Brazilian Air Force in conjunction with airport authorities to combat organized crime through the Guarantee of Law and Order (GLO), seized 41.8 kilos of marijuana at Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo on Tuesday morning (12/12). The drug, divided into tablets, was identified by FAB sniffer dogs in three pieces of luggage belonging to passengers on a flight from Manaus (AM). The material was seized and two people were arrested by the São Paulo State Civil Police.
FAB teams have been searching aircraft in coordination with the airlines and other security agencies, so as not to disrupt the routine of landings and take-offs and cause inconvenience to passengers.
“With the help of sniffer dogs, compartments and luggage are inspected in the interval between disembarkation and embarkation. This work complements the X-ray inspections and contributes significantly to interrupting possible illicit routes at the airports where we are operating, which are among the largest in the country,” explains the Commander of Operation Air Bridge, Air Brigadier Luiz Guilherme da Silva Magarão.
On Monday night (11/12), the operation had already seized two kilos of cocaine at the same airport. The drugs were found during a personal search carried out by Air Force personnel on a female passenger who was about to board a flight to Lisbon, Portugal. The material was taped to the waistband of the woman, who was arrested by the Federal Police.
The interagency operation is the result of Decree No. 11.765 of November 1, 2023, which authorizes the use of the Armed Forces in ports and airports. The activities also involve ostentatious policing in the halls, operational areas, cargo terminals and other sensitive points identified by the security forces.
“The progression of our actions and results is due to the growing synergy between the Air Force and the other agencies involved in the Operation. Improving inter-agency work will undoubtedly be the greatest legacy of this GLO,” says Major Magarão.
Between December 3 and 9, 94 missions were carried out at Galeão (RJ) and Guarulhos (SP) airports, which searched a total of 440 vehicles, 20 aircraft, 3,238 people and 8,679 loads, amounting to a volume of 10,634 cubic meters. Since the start of the operation on November 6, more than 207 kilos of illegal goods have been seized.
*** Translated by DEFCONPress FYI Team ***