Stop! Border Control

Latin America has 35,000 kilometres of borders that represent the geographical limits of each country. They are also the line that separates the legal from the illegal. A very thin line that many are willing to cross. Yet, at each border, many men and women stand their ground, from the police to customs enforcement, in the hopes of stopping those who are trying to break the law.

From bustling airports to remote crossings, this series uncovers the high-risk world of border security at Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, also known as Santiago International Airport and Nuevo Pudahuel Airport, where every bag, every traveler, and every decision could change everything.

For the first time, an international film crew captures the round-the-clock action at Havana’s José Martí International Airport. Cuba’s elite security forces battle drug traffickers, arms smugglers, money launderers, and forgers to protect the nation’s borders. With over 100 agents on constant alert, more than 9 million travelers pass each year through this key hub, just 20 kilometers from Havana’s center. Working alongside the UN Aircop Group, specialized migration teams combat illegal migration routes used by criminals worldwide. Every hour brings new challenges—from smuggling weapons, cash, and undeclared goods to complex narcotics operations. Trained in passenger profiling and detection, the narcotics division plays a critical role. Organized crime knows no borders, but here, security forces stand ready to stop it.