Lisbon, Sept. 17, 2026 (Lusa) - The internal affairs minister has stated that drug trafficking is the number one threat to Portugal's internal security, with the country being used as a gateway for cocaine into Europe.
«Drug trafficking is currently the number one threat to internal security in Portugal,» emphasised Luís Neves during the parliamentary debate on the 2025 Annual Internal Security Report (RASI).
The RASI, which provides an overview of security in Portugal, is coordinated by the Internal Security System, based on information provided by around 25 organisations, including all the country's police and security forces and services.
According to the minister, Portugal, like other European countries, is «used as a strategic gateway for cocaine into Europe» by transnational criminal organisations.
«What is new is the sharp rise in cocaine production that drug traffickers are seeking to move because the profits in Europe are much higher,» said Luís Neves, who believes that drug-related crimes have a «tremendous social impact on the lives of communities», as they fuel theft, robbery, threats, assaults and other crimes linked to drug use and disputes over dealers' territories.
Furthermore, «consumption in plain sight degrades public spaces», affects economic activity and quality of life, and contributes very significantly to the feeling of insecurity in cities, the minister argued.
Luís Neves added that the PSP and the GNR will step up their presence and police operations in the areas where this occurs, particularly in Lisbon and Porto.
On the subject of crime in general, he noted that the figures for 2025 show a 3.1% increase, but considered that this rise is largely due to greater operational investment by the police forces.
«We are not just talking about more crimes; we are talking about more action by the State and greater police proactivity. Raw figures are not the same as real danger,» the minister argued.
Speaking to MPs, Neves also emphasised that the figures relating to rape deserve «particular attention», given that in 2025 they reached their highest figure of the decade.
In this area, «we have made it a priority to provide specialised training for the police forces and to coordinate with the justice system to reduce response times for these victims», he said.
Stressing that he accepts the RASI figures «without embellishing them», Neves announced that a national victimisation survey will be carried out, in coordination with the Internal Security System, and that the police forces are already collecting data on foreign detainees – both residents and non-residents – which may be ready and available in next year's report.
The minister reiterated that Portugal is recognised as a safe country, a «strategic advantage to be preserved», but warned once again that this status is not guaranteed and requires constant vigilance, a response to new threats and ongoing efforts.
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