The Federal Police’s General Manager, Luiz Fernando Corrêa, said in a public hearing held on Wednesday (14)by the Committee on Foreign Relations and National Defence that agreements on co-operation with bordering countries have been preventing drug consumption in Brazil.

At the public hearing on drug war policies, he mentioned as an example the agreement with Paraguay that enabled the eradication, in 2009, of 1 thousand hectares of marijuana planted in the country: “This would represent the consumption of 2,500 tons of drug in Brazil."

Luiz Fernando Corrêa said that the Federal Police actions against drugs are based on criteria of physical presence of policemen in borders; co-operation with neighboring countries; and the use of technology to monitor the movement of people, vehicles and vessels.

Regarding the co-operation with bordering countries, the Director said that there is a specific agreement for each country. “One of the first agreements was signed with Paraguay, as 80% of marijuana produced there is sent to Brazil. This problem therefore also concerns Brazil."

Luiz Fernando added that Brazil has been subsidizing fuel costs, for instance, to eradicate marijuana within the Paraguayan territory, as it affects production. The Federal Police Director has also mentioned cultural problems in South America, as in Bolivia where the coca leaf is sacred. “They have their own eradication policies, which are observed by the international community."

Capture of drug traffickers

In addition to the eradication, the Director emphasized that the Federal Police has been qualifying the Police from neighboring countries. The agreements provide the establishment of offensive actions and arresting criminals. From five of the most wanted Paraguayan traffickers, three have already been arrested. Luiz Fernando added that this model is also being implemented in Peru, Bolívia and Colombia.

The Federal Police Director on combating crime, Roberto Troncon Cicilliati Filho, underlined the need of intensified operations to combat organized crime. “We are focused on identifying the organizations at their whole extent, including the leaders, so that we can perform accurate interdictions, raise equities and finally trigger the operation."

According to Cicilliati Filho, the operations are purposed to confiscate assets, in way to bankrupt criminal organizations.

Technology investment

Cicilliati Filho also emphasized the importance of investing in technology to combat organized crime in the Brazilian border.The Director said there is a project to be implemented by 2014, which will establish five border control bases that are going to use three unmanned aircrafts each. The aircrafts are 16 meter wingspan and capable of flying six hours with no refueling required. The total project cost is US$ 348 million (about R$ 600 million). The project is under implementation and the first aircraft will be put into operation by the second half of the year.

Translation – SP Language/Grupo Solucion – Thiago de Lira Capatti