Brazilian ports turn to scanners, drones and AI to fight drug trafficking

The advance of new routes for drug trafficking at Brazilian ports and along the country’s coastline has raised alarms among terminal operators, prompting investments in artificial intelligence, underwater drones and changes to how some export cargoes are handled.

At least seven ports said they have adopted measures to combat narcotics exports. The moves come as international drug trafficking patterns shift in response to tighter inspections at the Port of Santos, Brazil’s largest port and historically one of the main gateways used by criminal groups to move cocaine abroad.

Cocaine seizures at Brazilian ports have declined in recent years, according to data from Brazil’s Justice Ministry. In 2021, authorities seized 46 metric tons of cocaine at ports, on vessels and on rivers across the country. In 2025, that volume totaled 15 metric tons.

Investigators say the decline in seizures may be linked to the diversification of criminal strategies. One pattern involves smaller shipments that are harder to detect, instead of attempts to move hundreds of kilograms or even metric tons of drugs at once, when the financial loss from a seizure would be much greater. Another shift is the use of different types of vessels, including fishing boats and sailboats.

Brazil’s Federal Revenue Service said it does not disclose which terminals are considered priorities for inspection. In addition to being sensitive information, the agency said, “criminal organizations can simultaneously change ports of origin, maritime stopovers, destinations, cargoes used, concealment methods and ways of accessing containers.”

Paranaguá says measures reduced seizures

The Port of Paranaguá, in Paraná state, the largest port in southern Brazil, said its container terminal “is the most targeted by drug traffickers,” but that measures adopted between 2019 and 2025 reduced seizures at the site by 85%.

The measures include the use of sniffer dogs and continuous monitoring systems.

Paranaguá is one of the oldest routes used in international drug trafficking, which is now also advancing through ports in Santa Catarina state.

That trend led the Port of Imbituba, in Santa Catarina, to purchase an underwater drone to expand monitoring. Operated remotely, the equipment assists Brazil’s Federal Police in searches and sweeps of ship hulls to identify possible illicit materials hidden in submerged areas of vessels.

New technologies are also being deployed at the Port of Navegantes, also in Santa Catarina. Portonave, the private operator of the container terminal, said it purchased two scanners with artificial intelligence features for about R$25 million.

In Itajaí, the public authority that manages the terminal said it has acquired “operational vehicles, drones, patrol boats, weapons and ballistic vests” in recent years and implemented “dedicated intelligence systems.” Other initiatives include diving courses and ship-hull inspection training.

Northern and northeastern routes raise concern

Routes in Brazil’s North and Northeast are also worrying investigators, not only because regional ports have less security infrastructure, but also because of conditions in the areas where they are located. Some of those regions face the advance of criminal factions competing for territory.

In Natal, the authority that manages the local terminal said it has reduced fruit exports in containers. Shipments are now made predominantly on pallets.

In Pernambuco, the Port of Suape said it is monitoring the new dynamics of organized crime “with special attention,” particularly in light of incidents and movements identified at northeastern ports.

The concern is similar in Fortaleza. Companhia Docas do Ceará, the port authority in Ceará state, said it maintains “strict access-control, monitoring and integrated action protocols with public security agencies” and has been expanding investments in security.

The spread of drug trafficking at Brazilian ports has therefore become not only a law-enforcement issue, but also an operational challenge for terminals seeking to protect export flows without slowing legitimate trade.

Source: Valor Econômico

Sharing is caring!