Sindarma presents solutions against piracy in a public hearing at Aleam

Aleam

During the hearing, the Sindarma leader also stated that the gangs are capitalized and heavily armed

Manaus (AM) – Increase the number of bases, equipment and police operations on rivers, political support for the immediate creation of the Federal Waterway Police and intensify inspections by the Amazonas Finance Department (Sefaz), on the sale of fuel within the state.

These were the proposals presented by the president of the Union of River Navigation Companies in the State of Amazonas (Sindarma), Galdino Alencar Júnior, to combat piracy and drug trafficking in the rivers of Amazonas, in a public hearing held yesterday afternoon ( 21), in the Legislative Assembly, proposed by state deputy Dan Câmara.

During the meeting, with the participation of representatives from the Federal, Military and Civil police, Navy and entities such as the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (Abin) and the Federal and State public ministries, Alencar also spoke about the private armed escorts hired by transport companies that reduced dramatically the attacks and theft of cargo in Amazonas.

“Two years ago we reached the mark of R$100 million in losses caused by pirates. This number is falling, but that doesn’t mean it’s over. Every day there are attempts and exchanges of fire on the rivers, prevented by private security guards, who have a limited number of ammunition, while the pirates come with machine guns and all types of weapons. If one day, a ferry with fuel explodes, the world will realize the gravity of what is happening in the Amazon,”

warned Galdino.

Invoice

In addition to the police presence and installation of new bases in river channels, the president of Sindarma also highlighted the need for Sefaz to act rigorously in monitoring and controlling the sale of fuel in interior municipalities.

According to Galdino, in many rivers in the state it is even possible to find banners hanging on the banks advertising the sale of fuel freely.

“Stolen fuel has a destination. If the Treasury Department could work together with police operations to see who receives and sells the product, collecting invoices and the origin at gas stations and pontoons (gas stations in the middle of the rivers), we could more easily identify who is financing the piracy and organized crime”,

highlighted.

During the hearing, the Sindarma leader also stated that the gangs are capitalized and heavily armed, and that the union is available to help public authorities and security forces combat piracy.

“We need to join forces. Previously, our biggest concern in navigation were natural issues, such as rocks and logs in rivers. Today, we pray and hope that the crew can reach their destination safely, healthily and that no assault will occur”, explained Galdino.

*With information from consultancy

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