Detecting drug transfers via the drop-off method: A supervised model approach using AIS data

Maritime security is of tremendous importance in countering drug trafficking, particularly through sea-based routes. In this paper, we address the pressing need for effective detection methods by introducing a novel approach utilizing Automatic Identification System (AIS) data. Our focus lies on det...

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Main Authors: Britt van Leeuwen, Maike Nutzel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Machine Learning with Applications
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666827024000665
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author Britt van Leeuwen
Maike Nutzel
author_facet Britt van Leeuwen
Maike Nutzel
author_sort Britt van Leeuwen
collection DOAJ
description Maritime security is of tremendous importance in countering drug trafficking, particularly through sea-based routes. In this paper, we address the pressing need for effective detection methods by introducing a novel approach utilizing Automatic Identification System (AIS) data. Our focus lies on detecting the ‘drop-off’ method, a prevalent technique for contraband smuggling at sea. Unlike existing research, primarily employing unsupervised methods, we propose a supervised model specifically tailored to this illicit activity, with a particular emphasis on its application to fishing vessels.Our model significantly reduces the number of data points requiring classification by the observer by 70% , thereby enhancing the efficiency of the drop-off detection process. By employing a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model, our approach demonstrates a change from traditional methods and offers advantages in capturing complex temporal patterns inherent in ‘drop-off’ activities. The rationale behind choosing LSTM lies in its ability to effectively model sequential data, which is essential for detecting drug traffic activities at sea where patterns are subtle and dynamic.Moreover, this model holds the potential for integration into real-time surveillance systems, thereby enhancing operational capabilities in detecting and preventing drug traffic. The generalizability of our model makes for considerable potential in enhancing maritime security efforts and providing assistance in countering drug traffic on a global scale. Importantly, our model outperforms both baseline models, underscoring its effectiveness and superiority in addressing the specific challenges posed by ‘drop-off’ detection. For more information and access to the code repository, please visit this link.
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spelling doaj-art-2771046e97da462aaaf4a4eb3e0a217e2025-08-20T02:50:20ZengElsevierMachine Learning with Applications2666-82702024-12-011810059010.1016/j.mlwa.2024.100590Detecting drug transfers via the drop-off method: A supervised model approach using AIS dataBritt van Leeuwen0Maike Nutzel1Centrum Wiskunde en Informatica (Stochastics group), Science Park 123, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan 1111, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Corresponding author at: Centrum Wiskunde en Informatica (Stochastics group), Science Park 123, Amsterdam, Netherlands.Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan 1111, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Team Maritieme Politie, Rijkszee- en Marinehaven, Den Helder, NetherlandsMaritime security is of tremendous importance in countering drug trafficking, particularly through sea-based routes. In this paper, we address the pressing need for effective detection methods by introducing a novel approach utilizing Automatic Identification System (AIS) data. Our focus lies on detecting the ‘drop-off’ method, a prevalent technique for contraband smuggling at sea. Unlike existing research, primarily employing unsupervised methods, we propose a supervised model specifically tailored to this illicit activity, with a particular emphasis on its application to fishing vessels.Our model significantly reduces the number of data points requiring classification by the observer by 70% , thereby enhancing the efficiency of the drop-off detection process. By employing a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model, our approach demonstrates a change from traditional methods and offers advantages in capturing complex temporal patterns inherent in ‘drop-off’ activities. The rationale behind choosing LSTM lies in its ability to effectively model sequential data, which is essential for detecting drug traffic activities at sea where patterns are subtle and dynamic.Moreover, this model holds the potential for integration into real-time surveillance systems, thereby enhancing operational capabilities in detecting and preventing drug traffic. The generalizability of our model makes for considerable potential in enhancing maritime security efforts and providing assistance in countering drug traffic on a global scale. Importantly, our model outperforms both baseline models, underscoring its effectiveness and superiority in addressing the specific challenges posed by ‘drop-off’ detection. For more information and access to the code repository, please visit this link.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666827024000665Sea-based drug transfersAutomatic Identification System (AIS) dataLong Short-Term Memory (LSTM) modelDrop-off method
spellingShingle Britt van Leeuwen
Maike Nutzel
Detecting drug transfers via the drop-off method: A supervised model approach using AIS data
Machine Learning with Applications
Sea-based drug transfers
Automatic Identification System (AIS) data
Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model
Drop-off method
title Detecting drug transfers via the drop-off method: A supervised model approach using AIS data
title_full Detecting drug transfers via the drop-off method: A supervised model approach using AIS data
title_fullStr Detecting drug transfers via the drop-off method: A supervised model approach using AIS data
title_full_unstemmed Detecting drug transfers via the drop-off method: A supervised model approach using AIS data
title_short Detecting drug transfers via the drop-off method: A supervised model approach using AIS data
title_sort detecting drug transfers via the drop off method a supervised model approach using ais data
topic Sea-based drug transfers
Automatic Identification System (AIS) data
Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model
Drop-off method
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666827024000665
work_keys_str_mv AT brittvanleeuwen detectingdrugtransfersviathedropoffmethodasupervisedmodelapproachusingaisdata
AT maikenutzel detectingdrugtransfersviathedropoffmethodasupervisedmodelapproachusingaisdata