Cocaine trafficking is "first threat" to internal security, says Minister Luís Neves
The Minister of Internal Administration warned Parliament that Portugal is a strategic entry gateway for cocaine into Europe. General crime rose 3.1% in 2025.
Portugal used as entry gateway for cocaine into Europe, minister warns
Drug trafficking is the greatest threat to Portugal's internal security. This statement comes from the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, during the parliamentary debate on the 2025 Annual Internal Security Report (RASI), according to CNN Portugal.
"Drug trafficking is today the first threat to internal security in Portugal," Neves declared, emphasising that transnational criminal organisations use the country as a "strategic entry gateway for cocaine into Europe" — a pattern shared by other European countries.
The minister identified the determining factor behind increasing pressure: "The novelty is the large increase in cocaine production that drug traffickers want to dispose of because profit in Europe is much greater." Beyond the direct impact, Neves warned that drug-related crimes have a "tremendous social impact on the life of communities", in that they fuel theft, robbery, threats, assaults and other crimes associated with consumption and the dispute over sales points.
Public consumption degrades urban space, affects economic activity and contributes significantly to the sense of insecurity in cities, the official added. In response, the PSP and GNR will strengthen visibility and police operations in the most affected zones, with emphasis on Lisbon and Porto.
General crime rises 3.1%, but minister rejects alarm
The 2025 RASI data record a 3.1% increase in general crime. Luís Neves rejected, however, a direct reading of this growth as a sign of greater danger: "We are not just talking about more crimes, we are talking about more state action, greater police proactivity. Raw numbers are not the same as real danger."
The RASI is coordinated by the Internal Security System based on information provided by approximately 25 entities, including all the country's forces and security services.
Rape crimes reach highest value in a decade
Neves also highlighted that data on rape crimes in 2025 deserve "particular seriousness", having reached the highest value in ten years. "We assume as a priority the specialised training of security forces and coordination with Justice to reduce response times to these victims," he said.
The minister also announced the implementation of a national victimisation survey, coordinated with the Internal Security System. Security forces are already collecting data on foreign detainees — residents and non-residents — which could be included in the next year's report.
Emphasising that he takes the RASI figures "without concealing them", Neves reiterated that Portugal is recognised internationally as a safe country — a "strategic advantage to preserve" — but warned that this condition requires permanent vigilance and continuous response to new threats.
Source: CNN Portugal