Strengthening the Crossing of the Strait Operation (OPE)
The National Police directs and coordinates Operation MINERVA'19 together with FRONTEX in the ports of Algeciras, Tarifa and Ceuta
JO MINERVA 2019 began last Friday and will run until September 16, with the main objective of addressing the challenges of migration and possible future threats at the borders
In addition to Spanish agents, this device includes members from 16 member states (Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, France, Italy, Lithuania, Holland, Slovakia, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Romania) as well as US observers
Last year, 1,176,715 border inspections of travelers were carried out, as well as 267,705 vehicles, figures expected to increase this year.
July 15, 2019.- Last Friday, July 12, JO MINERVA 2019 joint operation, led by the National Police and coordinated by the FRONTEX Agency, began. The main objective of this device is to face the challenges of migration and possible future threats at the borders of the ports of Algeciras, Tarifa and Ceuta. In addition to Spanish agents, belonging to the National Police and the Civil Guard, this device includes the participation of 16 member states (Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, France, Italy, Lithuania, Holland, Slovakia, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Romania) as well as observers from the United States.
Last year, 1,176,715 border inspections of travelers were carried out, as well as 267,705 vehicles, figures expected to increase this year. The JO MINERVA'19 joint operation will run from July 12 to September 16, coinciding with the return phase of Operation Paso del Estrecho (OPE).
Objective of OP MINERVA'19
The main purpose of this operation is to control the irregular migration flows to a member state of the European Union, thus facing the challenges of illegal immigration and possible future threats in those borders.
It also aims to contribute to the fight against crime with a cross-border dimension in any of its manifestations, with special attention to the activity of criminal organizations dedicated to human trafficking and trafficking in human beings, the illicit trafficking of drugs, narcotics and psychotropic substances , the illicit traffic of small arms or light weapons or the illicit traffic of vehicles, among others.
Regarding the fight against terrorism, special attention is given to the detection and identification of returned foreign terrorist fighters, as well as the identification of individuals related to terrorist activities.
The collection of information during the operation is important for the fight against these criminal organizations, reinforcing and guiding the investigative activity of an operational nature, especially in relation to the illegal trafficking of people.
Exchange of experiences
This operation is part of the operational activities coordinated by the agency FRONTEX in the outer maritime border of the Western Mediterranean. The participating countries will provide a total of 69 experts with different profiles, in particular, 9 experts in false documents, two interviewers, 17 canine guides, 26 experts on the front line of the border crossing, a FRONTEX support officer, 10 experts in the detection of stolen vehicles and 4 interpreters.
Many of the invited agents repeat the experience, since they consider it an exchange of good practices between the different European police bodies, National Authorities and Institutions as well as International Organizations and Agencies. It is enriching learning in frontiers where the migratory flow has such a high scope, situations that in their countries of origin have never happened, so the experiences are unique. Therefore, FRONTEX Agency requires to participate in its operations, have proficiency in the English language to communicate with other police and be an expert in one of the five profiles detailed above (false documents, canine guide, interviewer, stolen vehicles, first line in border post)
Operation JO MINERVA'19 has been considered by the FRONTEX Agency and by the participating countries, since its inception more than 10 years ago, as a highly efficient operation since it allows the inspection of a large number of passengers, vehicles and belongings ( Last year, 1,176,715 border inspections of travelers were carried out, as well as 267,705 vehicles), coinciding with the return phase of Operation Paso del Estrecho. The aim is to combat the different serious forms of crime with a cross-border dimension in order to guarantee a high level of internal security within the European Union, while respecting fundamental rights and safeguarding the free movement of people at the same time.