The Spanish Interior Ministry is modernizing border control at Melilla’s Beni-Enzar crossing, the only land connection with Morocco, by installing a state-of-the-art “smart border” system.
This innovative project aims to streamline passenger processing and enhance security at the busy border point.
Construction of the smart border facilities is well underway. The entry building is complete, with the exit building nearing completion, according to sources close to EFE.
The core technology, the Entry/Exit System (EES), will be implemented this April. EES uses biometric controls to ensure more efficient and secure border management, aligning with the European Union’s external border security protocols.
The Spanish government invested 4.1 million euros in establishing “smart borders” at Ceuta and Melilla. These borders use fingerprint scanning and facial recognition technology to control immigration and improve security.
The Beni-Enzar crossing is undergoing a significant transformation. The EES system is being integrated seamlessly, including the installation of twelve control booths for the National Police and Civil Guard.
These booths, distributed across the six existing border lanes (three for entry and three for exit, with reversible configuration), represent a significant upgrade in design and space compared to previous facilities.
The Beni-Enzar border already boasts a dozen documentary control booths for pedestrians and vehicles.
These recent upgrades address long-standing demands of police unions and Civil Guard associations. Notably, the deployment of personnel for border control tasks has seen a significant improvement compared to pre-pandemic levels four years ago.
The smart border system signifies a major leap forward in immigration control and border security.
By automating previously manual processes, the system will not only deter unauthorized entry but also identify individuals who overstay their visas, combat identity theft, and contribute to preventing and investigating serious crimes, including terrorism.
Additionally, the system will generate valuable data for cross-border crime investigations.
The implementation of the smart border system for Operation Crossing the Strait (OPE) in 2024 anticipates significant changes in pedestrian traffic management and border infrastructure to accommodate the new technological and operational realities.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.