In a significant move to bolster security and public services on the remote archipelago, the Brazilian Federal Police officially opened a new station in Fernando de Noronha this Thursday. The facility, strategically located at the Port of Santo Antônio, is designed to enhance the agency's operational capacity on the island, with a primary focus on combating international drug trafficking.
According to the Federal Police Superintendent for Pernambuco, Adriana Albuquerque de Vasconcelos, the geographical position of Fernando de Noronha makes it a key point on international trafficking routes, serving markets in Europe and Africa. She noted that the agency has been monitoring this activity for years and has previously seized tons of drugs from sailing vessels in the region. The new station will intensify inspections at both the port and the island's airport to tackle domestic drug trafficking as well.
Beyond its anti-narcotics mission, the new station will also expand efforts to fight environmental crimes and help preserve Noronha's historical heritage. The inauguration ceremony was attended by representatives from the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), the Fernando de Noronha Administration, the District Council, and local business leaders.
A major highlight for the local population is the introduction of passport services. The Federal Police will hold a special event to issue passports on the island from May 19 to 22. This service, being offered in Noronha for the first time, will save residents the inconvenience and cost of traveling to the mainland to obtain the essential travel document.
The construction of the new Federal Police headquarters began in 2022 and represented an investment of R$ 6 million. The two-story building covers 325 square meters and includes parking, a reception area, an immigration sector, interview rooms, a kitchen, common areas, and accommodations for staff.
The president of the District Council, Milton Luna, emphasized the importance of this installation. He explained that previously, foreign vessels had to go to the mainland before docking at the island, and many never returned, causing economic losses for Noronha. The need to leave the island for passport issuance was also a persistent problem. The new station brings the Federal Police closer to the community it serves.
To celebrate the opening, the Federal Police organized a community running event for Friday morning, with a 5-kilometer route starting at the new headquarters. The public was also invited to visit the station throughout the day to see tactical equipment, vehicles, and boats, and to participate in educational activities. The program also included the award ceremony for a contest to name the Federal Police's patrol boat, featuring suggestions from local school students.
Based on reporting from g1.