South American national detained at Lisbon airport with 3.4 kg of cocaine
The Judicial Police detained a foreign national at Humberto Delgado Airport with 3.4 kg of cocaine in their luggage. The detention resulted from international police cooperation.
Detained at Lisbon airport with more than three kilos of cocaine in luggage
The Judicial Police detained a foreign national, from a South American country, at Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon, in possession of approximately 3.4 kilos of cocaine — confirmed by forensic examination. The operation was conducted by the National Unit for Combating Drug Trafficking, according to Google News PT — Crime (pt).
The detention took place as part of an international police cooperation operation, developed in coordination with foreign authorities. The sharing of prior operational information enabled Portuguese authorities to identify suspicious movements and direct the intervention at the airport.
The narcotic substance was located inside the luggage transported by the suspect and was seized in accordance with applicable legal provisions.
Subsequent investigations gathered evidence that the detained individual acted as a "mule" — a carrier working for a transnational criminal organisation with defined functions at the level of recruitment, transport and subsequent distribution of drugs.
The Judicial Police emphasise that the use of carriers is a common mechanism in criminal organisations to ensure the circulation of narcotics across borders, compartmentalising illegal activity and making it difficult to identify those responsible for financing and coordinating operations.
The institution also issues a warning about the risks associated with accepting the transport of luggage, parcels or items belonging to third parties, particularly when the contents have not been previously verified by the transporter themselves.
The evidence gathered indicates that the cocaine seized was intended for introduction and distribution in national territory. The investigation continues with the aim of determining the extent of the criminal activity, identifying other participants and establishing their respective levels of responsibility in the organisational structure.
The detained individual will be brought before the competent judicial authority for initial judicial interrogation and possible application of appropriate coercive measures.
Source: Google News PT — Crime (pt)