Criminal police carry out routine patrols to identify drones in Iapen — Photo: Mariana Ferreira/g1
Criminal factions have used drones to try to take drugs, cell phones and other items into the Amapá Penitentiary Administration Institute (Iapen). In the last eight months, 12 devices were intercepted flying over the unit.
Airspace is seen as one of the prison’s biggest vulnerabilities. The Specialized Drone Operations Division (DEOD) works to monitor and intercept devices before they enter the unit.
Between January and August, 21 incidents were recorded that resulted in the seizure of drugs, weapons and electronic equipment (see detailed numbers below).
In one of the cases, drones tried to take picanha, açaí and whiskey into the prison. The meat was wrapped in plastic and the drinks were in bottles, including around 500 ml of whiskey.
Seizures made
22 smart watches;
11 cell phones;
11 mobile phone chips;
21 induction chargers;
12 wall chargers.
Material seized during the action — Photo: Civil Police/Disclosure
Investment in technology
In the 11th phase of Operation Mute, in May, Iapen reported that drones were responsible for 80% of illicit entry. The current director states that the situation remains worrying.
"We know that the drones they use have very advanced technology, which raises great concern regarding the entry of illicit goods by air. This tool is mainly used to try to take cell phones and smartwatches, as well as chargers — both traditional wall-mounted ones and induction ones", explained Emerson Nascimento, CEO of Iapen.
According to the director, each drone costs an average of R$40,000. Cell phones inside the prison can be sold for R$10,000.
"With the entry into operation of our standard operating procedure, it became very difficult for illicit acts to enter Iapen, especially through the means that were used before. A cell phone, for example, started to cost R$10,000 inside the unit. Unfortunately, organized crime has no money limit. We closed some barriers, but crime spends 25 hours of the day trying to circumvent security. That's why they started using this technology", highlighted Nascimento.
Emerson Nascimento, CEO of Iapen — Photo: Mariana Ferreira/g1
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Measures adopted by Iapen
Drones are also modified with launchers, devices that allow them to transport and release cargo during flight, expanding their use in illegal actions.
Teams face difficulty identifying the equipment, which can fly up to 200 meters high, invisible to the naked eye and without noticeable noise.
In many cases, the material is identified when it falls inside the prison. Because it is packed in bubble wrap, when it comes into contact with the floor and due to the height of the throw, it causes a noise when it falls.
The Specialized Drone Division uses technology to locate devices remotely. The strategy is to use innovation itself against organized crime.
Another action was to separate criminal leaders, sending some of them to the José Eder Maximum Security Unit. The objective is to reduce communication within prisons. Investigations indicate that several crimes, including virtual scams, are ordered from within Iapen.
Iapen monitoring center — Photo: Felipe Oliveira/Sejusp and Maksuel Martins/GEA
Criminal group identified
In May, after two months of investigation, an integrated action found a car loaded with illicit goods that would be taken to Iapen. According to the police, there were four drones and claws used to launch objects inside the prison (see the moment of the approach in the video below).
Police reported that the suspects were part of a distribution network. A detainee would receive the equipment. Four people were arrested.
The investigation showed that the equipment was purchased outside the State. Each member had a role to ensure that the material reached the prison.
In a recent case, a drone dropped two packages inside the Men's Penitentiary (PEM). They contained a pistol, a homemade knife, two smartwatches, a cell phone case, five packs of tobacco and four packs of gum.
Objects launched by drone are seized at the Amapá Men's Penitentiary — Photo: Penal Police/Disclosure
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