Base Candiru transforms the daily life of rivers in the Lower Amazon
From January to September, 388.4 cubic meters of sawn wood, 14 tons of illegal fish, and 1.1 tons of drugs were seized.
Established a year ago, the Integrated River Base "Candiru" has become a landmark in river public safety in the State. With tireless work from agents conducting patrols and overt inspections, the perception of order has been restored to riverside communities and local merchants. Only in the accumulated period of this year, from January to September, the Base seized 1.1 tons of drugs, which has inhibited crime as a whole in the Lower Amazon region.
The rigorous action of Base Candiru has transformed the reality of areas that previously dealt with the continuous transport of drugs and crime, reinforcing the commitment of security forces to protect life and combat organized crime that attempts to use the waterways of the region.
For the Secretary of Public Security and Social Defense, Ualame Machado, Base Candiru is an important tool in the fight against crime in a strategic point of the state.
"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. Base Candiru is our turning point in this region. Since its implementation, the Base has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in combating organized crime," he points out.
From January to September, the integrated forces operating at the Base managed to seize 388.4 cubic meters of sawn wood, in addition to 14 tons of illegal fish, 1.1 tons of drugs, and made 9 arrests during 838 approaches. Additionally, 2 firearms, 85 cell phones, 17 vehicles were seized, and 25,617 people were approached.
Just last month, 56 kg of drugs were seized, 103 caliber 22 ammunition were seized, 2 arrest warrants were executed, and a boat was seized.
Ualame emphasizes that "the numbers speak for themselves: the significant seizures of drugs and the removal of illegal materials from circulation represent a strong blow against the trafficking routes that attempt to establish themselves in our rivers. This is not just statistics; it is the guarantee that fewer drugs reach our cities and communities," he said.
Transformation
The deepest impact of Base Candiru is felt directly by the riverside population. Where there was once insecurity, fear, and the presence of criminals, today there is an overt and tireless presence of the State.
"We hear the reports from residents and merchants: tranquility has been restored, the perception of increased policing has returned, and local development can flourish without the shadow of crime. Base Candiru is a symbol of our unwavering commitment to the life and safety of the population of the Lower Amazon and Pará," emphasizes Ualame.
Six years ago, lawyer and businessman José Canto recalls that the region was violent and permeated by groups. "That is part of the past; today it is very peaceful. The way of approaching criminals has made crime disappear," he says.
For the municipal environmental inspector, Adalberto Alvarenga, the work developed by the base has contributed to the reduction of environmental crimes, which occurred with greater intensity.
"After the arrival of the Base, there was a significant reduction. The Base supports us in inspections, as a contribution to our work. Both in the city and in the rivers, there is now a much greater perception of safety. You can see the amount of drugs seized and people arrested. As a resident of Obidos, I can say with great conviction that security has improved a lot in our city with the reduction of trafficking," he highlighted.
Another group positively impacted by the River Base are the merchants who receive numerous customers through boats that travel along the river. Residing near the Base, Silvana Albuquerque is a merchant and has operated a food items establishment for 20 years. She says that before she lived in insecurity on the riverbanks.
"Now we feel safe, and the Base has really come to reinforce the security of our municipality. They have removed many things from circulation that would harm many families. Thank God that this did not go further; it stopped. And they work day and night; when a boat arrives, they go there to inspect," she said.
