Challenge: International airport security breach
Between December 10th 2013 and January 15th 2014 two passengers traveling on separate flights from the Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport in Dakar, Senegal were stopped at Washington-Dulles International Airport without the proper travel documents. Both passengers arrived in the U.S. from Dakar on a South African Airways flight just a few weeks apart. As a result of this critical security breach, the United States government threatened to suspend diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Senegal, and prohibit South African Airways flights from traveling to and from the country. U.S. authorities ordered South African
Airways to identify the origin of the security breach and uncover how these two passengers were able to board flights to the U.S. without the proper documentation.
Solution: Intelligent information analytics
The Senegalese government turned to trusted partner Securiport to provide an Intelligent Information Management and Profiling solution to give a complete view of travel history to enable authorities to detect and track the illegal activity. Senegalese police and federal agents leveraged Securiport’s advanced data analytics to obtain a complete understanding of traveller profiles and behaviour to identify pattern of life activity and detect anomalies. Working in close partnership with Securiport experts, authorities used Securiport’s tools to cross-match immigration databases with enrolment data and analyse security footage of the boarding of the two flights to Washington. After extensive research and viewing of CCTV, the passengers were identified and their actions and movements were traced throughout the airport.
As authorities dug deeper into the data, they discovered connections between the illegal travellers and multiple accomplices within the Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport in Dakar. By leveraging and cross-analysing the data, authorities discovered the two illegal travellers were part of a multi-national criminal enterprise that included human trafficking and drug trafficking into the United States. Thanks to Securiport’s comprehensive and reliable Intelligent Information Management Profiling solution, authorities were able to take rapid action to interdict and arrest offenders across the criminal network, generating a far broader positive impact in the fight against illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
Result: Justice and security restored
Thanks to Securiport’s solution, authorities were able to accomplish their mission of uncovering the cause of the security breach and origins of the illegal travellers. By leveraging the data, authorities were able to exceed the effectiveness of the initial mission by uncovering and dismantling a secretive network of illegal traffic from Senegal to the U.S. In total, 29 people were arrested in the case, seven from the Ghanaian capital of Accra, and 22 from Johannesburg, South Africa. By rapidly and efficiently enabling the Senegalese government to identify and resolve the security issues in its major international airport, Securiport helped prevent an international relations crisis, serving as a catalyst in preserving positive diplomatic relations between Senegal and the U.S. Further, Securiport’s solution enabled South African Airlines to correct security issues. This ensured continuation of regular flights to and from destinations in the U.S., averting potential economic losses and negative impact on tourism.
Links
www.securiport.com
