The UGT union has denounced the precarious situation of Customs agents in Almería following a serious incident. A narcolancha rammed the patrol boat Audaz during a pursuit, leaving the officers in a critical situation. The agents report risking their lives for a salary of barely 1,600 euros per month, in what the union describes as an operational Russian roulette due to the lack of resources.
The technological gap in the fight against drug trafficking 🚤
While criminal organizations equip their vessels with high-displacement engines and advanced navigation systems, Customs Surveillance patrol boats like the Audaz operate with limited resources. The lack of armor, encrypted communication systems, and surveillance drones turns each intervention into a leap into the void. The available technology does not match the speed or maneuverability of the narcolanchas, forcing agents to rely on approach tactics that increase the risk of collision.
The danger pay: a piece of gum and a lighter 😅
Agents should receive danger pay which, at this rate, might include a hard hat and a whistle. With 1,600 euros, one can choose between paying the mortgage or buying a second-hand bulletproof vest. Next time a narcolancha rams them, they might ask for a raise in the form of an airbag for the patrol boat. Meanwhile, the union suggests that officers get life insurance included with their coffee from the machine.