Patrolling and inspection have been reinforced, since Monday (06), at the access points to the Port of Santos, with the beginning of the Law and Order Guarantee Operation (GLO) decreed by the Federal Government. With 535 military personnel employed in the region, the Brazilian Navy (MB) carries out searches of personnel and vehicles, in preventive and repressive actions to combat drug and weapons trafficking, as well as other crimes. Operations in the region are supported by naval assets and MB Marines.
In conjunction with public security bodies, the MB military carries out inspection of maritime traffic; inspection of cargo vehicles using scent dogs; search for explosives; patrol with armored vehicles on the port’s internal streets; in addition to the use of metal detectors and divers to inspect ship hulls.
According to the Commander of the Task Group in Santos, Rear Admiral (Marine) Elson Luiz de Oliveira Góis, the security strengthening actions will occur uninterruptedly throughout the GLO period and will preserve the routine at the Port of Santos. “The characteristics of mobility and permanence of the Naval Power give the Brazilian Navy the ability to act in a unique way in this Operation of Limited Employment of the Force. We begin with a preventive focus and will also act in the repression of arms, drug and illicit trafficking in general , as provided for in the Presidential Decree, all in an integrated manner with the other participating Forces”, he explained.
The Captain of the Ports of São Paulo and Chief of Staff of the Task Group in Santos, Captain of Sea and War Robledo de Lemos Costa e Sá, also highlighted the use of cutting-edge equipment in the operation. “The high-tech equipment on the ships involved, such as sensors, radars, thermal imaging cameras and optronic handles, improves the surveillance of ships and vessels, providing great detection capacity and compilation of the tactical picture, in addition to situational awareness at the time of each approach. ”.
The Law and Order Guarantee Operation is carried out exclusively by determination of the President of the Republic, in an established area and for a determined period of time. It is provided for in article 142 of the Federal Constitution, in cases where there is exhaustion of traditional public security forces, such as the state Military Police and Civil Police, in serious situations of disturbance of order. Typically, it is enacted when state governments ask for federal aid.
The GLO gives military personnel of the Armed Forces police power until normality is reestablished, seeking to preserve public order, the integrity of the population and the regular functioning of institutions.
The Armed Forces have been involved in GLO operations since the 1990s. The first took place in June 1992, in Rio de Janeiro, during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, ECO-92, with objective of contributing to public safety.
This type of operation was also used at the United Nations Conference for Sustainable Development (Rio +20), in 2012; in the Confederations Cup and in Pope Francis’ visit to Aparecida (SP), in 2013; at the World Cup, in 2014; and at the Olympic Games in 2016.
In Rio de Janeiro, the last operation was carried out between 2017 and 2018, during the Federal Intervention, which aimed to reduce crime and strengthen public security institutions in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
Means used in Santos
Oceanic Patrol Vessel “Apa”
Patrol Vessel “Maracanã”
Patrol Notice “Barracuda”
Teaching and Patrol Support Boats
Under-Wheel Armored Vehicles
Piranha Heavy Vehicles
ATEGO Heavy Vehicles
UNIMOG Light Vehicles
L-200