According to a statement from the PSP, the national operation 'Pedreiras em Segurança' promoted “98 inspection actions in places where explosives for civilian use are consumed, namely places where mineral masses are mined, as well as inert materials are extracted”, which resulted in the seizure of 485.54 kilos of explosives, as well as other materials, and the opening of 16 reports of misdemeanours.

Unlicensed storage, incorrect records related to the explosives traceability system, lack of logbooks at the locations or lack of PSP authorisations at the appropriate locations are some of the reasons that led to the violations.

In addition to almost 500 kilos of explosives, the PSP seized 79 detonators, 40 kilos of gunpowder, 617 meters of detonating cord, 445 meters of fuses and 30 connectors, numbers that in almost all cases exceed the seizures made in the national operations of 2023 and 2022 with the same inspection objectives.

The total number of misdemeanours this year is double that recorded in 2023 (eight) and the approximately 485 kilos of explosives seized are six times more than the 75 kilos in 2023 and almost five times more than the 100 kilos in 2022.

“With this type of selective operational activity, the PSP intends to reinforce public safety and the feeling of security; raise awareness among the extractive industry, and other operators, of the importance of complying with existing legal regulations regarding the use of explosives for civilian use; as well as contribute to the reduction of accidents involving the use of explosives for civilian use”, explained the police in the statement.

According to the data released by the PSP, 103 police officers participated in the operation, “involving all PSP Territorial Commands, the Department of Weapons and Explosives and also the Special Police Unit, through the Explosive Device Deactivation and Underground Security Centre”.