GNR, PSP, and SEF have commenced enhanced border controls in Portugal as part of their preparations for World Youth Day. The authorities reported that during the first day of reinstating
land, air, and sea border control, they conducted inspections on over 77,000 individuals, resulting in 17 refusals of entry into Portuguese territory.
The joint statement issued by the National Republican Guard (GNR), the Public Security Police (PSP), and the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) outlined the inspection statistics. At airports, they inspected 74,341 travelers, of which 5,234 came from Schengen countries, and they monitored 463 controlled flights, including 33 departing from the Schengen area. For land borders, 2,982 people, 1,080 vehicles, and one train underwent inspection.
Most entry refusals occurred at ground control, with 15 people denied entry, while air borders saw two citizens refused entry. No specific data regarding entries by sea were provided.
Additionally, the SEF reported two arrests; one individual was arrested at Faro airport for document fraud and illegal stay, while another was apprehended in Lisbon under suspicion of human trafficking. The GNR also engaged in 13 inspection operations, deploying 159 soldiers to assist with border security measures. Photo by Stephen Colebourne from London, UK, Wikimedia commons.