Former PSP officer sentenced to 8 years and six months for cocaine trafficking in Porto
Alberto Couto, known as 'Joca', was sentenced by the São João Novo Court for leading a network that planned to import more than 40 kg of cocaine from Brazil.
Former Porto police officer convicted of heading cocaine trafficking network from Brazil
Alberto Couto, a former PSP officer known as 'Joca', was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison by the São João Novo Court in Porto for drug trafficking. Correio da Manhã reports that Couto was considered one of the ringleaders of a network that planned to bring more than 40 kilos of cocaine from Brazil to Portugal, hidden in the tyre of a tractor.
Five other defendants also received prison sentences ranging from six years and six months to seven years and six months. Five suspects were acquitted. The judges' panel also ruled to clear all 12 defendants of the charge of criminal association.
Cocaine valued at nearly two million euros
The court established that in 2023, 'Joca' and other defendants organised the importation of narcotics from Brazil. The drugs belonged to a defendant identified as 'Vitinha', who was never apprehended — he was allegedly on a pilgrimage to Fátima with Superdragões at the time the Polícia Judiciária conducted the operation in May 2024.
The proceedings also revealed 'Joca's' involvement in an attempt to retrieve drugs hidden in the hull of a ship that docked at Leixões port in Matosinhos. The narcotic was valued at nearly two million euros. Couto and four other defendants were sentenced to hand over a total of 750,000 euros to the State.
Defendant confessed involvement over debts
In reading the judgment, the judge established the majority of the facts as proven and underlined that 'Joca' confessed to the crime. When detained, the former officer told the court that he became involved in trafficking because of debts. In conversations with a mistress, he boasted of being the biggest drug trafficker in the north of the country.
The magistrate highlighted the gravity of the facts and the high requirements for prevention in such cases. "Cocaine is a hard drug with harmful effects for public health when distributed. The unlawfulness in this case is severe," the judge stated during the reading of the judgment.
Expedited trial to prevent defendants' release
The judges' panel conducted the trial at a particularly rapid pace to prevent the defendants' release. The maximum period of pre-trial detention without a first-instance ruling ended precisely on the Friday when the sentence was handed down. With the judgment, that period becomes equivalent to half of the imposed sentence.
Second case pending involving former judge
Alberto Couto, who is imprisoned at Aveiro jail, is still being tried in a second case involving former judge Hélder Claro. In that case, 'Joca' is suspected of involvement in illegal dealings with cryptocurrency and bank cards.
Source: Correio da Manhã