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PNA Intelligence tasks have been performed since its historical beginning in 1756, when the first Captainship of the Port was established, with primarily police functions related to the safety of navigation or the port area. However, March 12, 1951 marks a milestone in its history, as a provision from the Commandant- at that time known as National Maritime Prefect- provided for the creation, on a provisional basis, of the Information and Security Division, which finally became the present Service, after undergoing different transformations.
The Intelligence Service, as an advisory body to the top rank authorities of the Institution and to the Central Government, is continuously and permanently involved in the collection, analysis and integration of the data required in the jurisdictional area and its environment.
Within that framework, the spectrum of incumbent tasks is very wide. Its activity is reflected in the production of intelligence on all kinds of actions which are likely to endanger the operation of ports and waterways, as well as the safeguard of the maritime, river, fishing and port interests of the Nation. In addition, the preservation of the ecological balance and the fight against a number of offences, such as drug trafficking, currency forgery, terrorism, smuggling , the illegal traffic of people or those circumstances affecting the free operation of PNA as a security force, constitute the permanent goals of the Intelligence Service activities.
It is a part of the National Intelligence System, and as such it comprises different working committees of the National Intelligence Central Office. At the Interior Security Secretariat, PNA personnel perform different functions intended to meet the requirements necessary for the maintenance of the basic principles laid down by the Interior Security Law, such as freedom, life, the inhabitants’ property, rights, guarantees and the full validity of democratic institutions.
At its Intelligence Units, which are distributed all along the maritime, river and lake coasts – operationally integrated to the organization structure of the Area Districts, Districts and Units – a human team especially trained for the demands of these times performs its activities advising the operations’ leaders and being supported by adequate technical elements.
The
dynamics of the integration process among member countries of the Mercosur
generated –from the police viewpoint- the need for implementing a work
style which had been already used in other communities, such as the European.
In that respect, the exchange of information and intelligence with national
bodies as well as agencies from the involved countries, was intensified
with the purpose of carrying out a constant follow-up of the criminal
organizations which constitute a real danger to society.