River Bases seize over 4 tons of drugs in rivers of Pará

Pará is advancing in the fight against river crimes through an assertive public safety strategy with the creation and installation of Integrated River Bases, linked to the State Secretariat of Public Safety and Social Defense (Segup), and continues to ensure significant results in actions developed to combat drug trafficking. In three years of implementing the bases, the State has already seized more than 4 tons of drugs in the river network of Pará.

According to the State Secretary of Public Safety and Social Defense, Ualame Machado, the river bases are the strategic differential, planned by public safety, to contain drug trafficking through the river network of Pará, as well as to combat crime in riverside communities.

“Three years ago, with the installation of the Antônio Lemos Base in Marajó, followed by the implementation of the Candiru Base in Óbidos, we kicked off the innovation and construction of effective actions, especially for security on the State's rivers, given that Pará has the largest river area in the country. As we usually say, 'the rivers are our streets', and there is no way to ensure public safety without considering this, which is our reality, and thus we developed this strategy, maintaining fixed bases on the main river routes we have, to reinforce security actions and, above all, to guarantee tranquility and dignity for the riverside populations who have long requested this structure, so that social peace and order could also be established in these localities,” emphasizes the secretary.

Combating crimes in Marajó - In three years since the implementation of the first floating base, in the locality of Antônio Lemos, in the Breves strait, Marajó Archipelago, the State has already seized more than 3 tons of drugs. More than 5,000 approaches to vessels navigating near the Breves strait and adjacent areas have also been made. Over 20 warrants have been executed and 63 arrests made. More than 20 kilograms of illegal fish and 3,754 cubic meters (m³) of wood have also been seized, in addition to 17 vehicles and 54 weapons.

In the region, according to data from the Undersecretariat of Intelligence and Criminal Analysis (Siac), there was also a reduction of 30.71% in theft crimes, comparing 2021, when 140 theft records were counted, and 2024, with 97 cases. Regarding robbery, the reduction was even more significant. In 2021, 47 cases were recorded, and in 2024, only 12 occurrences, representing a 74% drop in robberies and thefts in the river areas of Marajó.

Security in Baixo Amazonas - Installed a year ago, the Integrated River Base Candiru has established itself as a milestone in river public safety in the State, with an ostensive work of agents who patrol and inspect daily on the Amazon River. Only in the accumulated data for this year, from January to September, the Base seized 1.1 tons of drugs, which has inhibited crime in the region.

From January to September, the integrated forces operating at the Base managed to make 838 approaches and seize 388.4 cubic meters of sawn wood, in addition to 14 tons of illegal fish, 1.1 tons of drugs, and nine arrests.
Additionally, two weapons, 85 cell phones, and 17 vehicles were seized, while 25,617 people were approached. Just last month, 56 kg of drugs were seized, 103 .22 caliber ammunition were seized, two arrest warrants were executed, and one boat was seized.

The head of Segup emphasizes the strategic importance of the Base and its significance in combating crime in a point known for the high flow of vessels from the states of Amazonas and Macapá. “Our mission is to ensure safety on all fronts, and the waterways, which are the logistical veins of our State, require special and strategic attention. The Candiru Base is our turning point in this region. Since its implementation, the Base has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in combating organized crime,” assures Ualame Machado.

New Base in Tocantins - The Government of Pará will deliver, still this year, the Baixo Tocantins River Base, which will be installed at the Capim channel, rural area of the municipality of Abaetetuba, near Barcarena, thus covering the main river ports and strategic points of Pará.

The Base, already completed, is currently installed at the Outeiro bridge, in the district of Belém, as a security unit serving the actions developed for the United Nations Conference on Climate Change 2025 (COP30).

“The river bases are one of our main security strategies, being recognized, among the other units of the Federation, as an important and efficient equipment for security on the rivers, acting very strongly in combating crime and protecting the riverside population, considering the extensive river network of the State, which is frequently used for drug trafficking and other crimes. With them, we are managing to achieve significant drug seizures, as well as intercepting loads of illegal wood and fish, curbing crime and ensuring the safety of communities living near the rivers,” emphasizes Ualame Machado.