Cross-border environmental crime is a growing challenge and strong border security plays a crucial role in its prevention. PERIVALLON supports border security as one of its key areas, partnering with Police & Border Guard Authorities, such as the Romanian Border Police, to provide advanced tools for monitoring and environmental protection.
Environmental Crime at the Borders
Environmental crime in the Romanian Border Police’s area of responsibility has significantly increased in recent years, marked by constantly evolving methods and shifting priorities. Geopolitical, economic, and social factors further amplify these threats, undermining environmental stability. Among the most pressing illegal activities are the uncontrolled disposal of waste and the illicit trade of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), both of which contribute to air, soil, and water pollution.
Criminal networks exploit systemic vulnerabilities, operating swiftly and across borders. In cooperation with the National Environmental Guard, the Romanian Border Police tackles illegal waste shipments through inspections, checks, and targeted monitoring.
Tech-Driven Investigations
These efforts are strengthened by the use of new technologies, which offer investigators additional tools to identify risks and respond more effectively.
Through the PERIVALLON platform and pilot use cases, the Romanian Border Police has explored how advanced technology can support environmental investigations. It enables the detection and monitoring of illegal waste disposal by integrating geospatial intelligence with UAV based data collection.
- UAV-based visual detection allows teams to inspect sites remotely.
- 3D terrain reconstruction provides accurate assessments of waste volumes and surface conditions.
- Multimodal data fusion combines satellite, UAV, and contextual information, giving investigators a comprehensive view of potential threats.
From Insight to Enforcement
In addition, PERIVALLON analyzes online advertisements and visual content to identify suspicious listings and possible signs of illicit trade. Shipment monitoring flags anomalies in maritime traffic, while risk assessment modules help prioritize the most urgent cases. All findings are managed securely, ensuring proper handling of digital evidence.
Working alongside traditional enforcement methods, PERIVALLON provides a clear intelligence picture of organized environmental crime and equips investigators with advanced tools for detecting illegal activities and assessing their environmental impact. By combining geospatial data, remote sensing, online monitoring, and AI-driven analytics, it enhances investigations, improves coordination between agencies, and strengthens overall enforcement efforts.
Written by Ovidiu-Mircea Manolache
Romanian Border Police