Ex-GNR captain from Fafe remains silent at drug-trafficking trial
Ricardo Portal, former GNR captain, refused to make a statement at the start of proceedings in São João Novo Court. The military officer, his wife and his brother are accused of bringing cocaine into Portugal through the Port of Leixões, with profits estimated at over €1.2 million.
Ex-GNR captain from Fafe remains silent at drug-trafficking trial
The criminal trial against Ricardo Portal, who held the rank of captain in the GNR in Fafe, began on Wednesday in the courtroom of São João Novo Court, in the city of Porto. The former military officer, who is being prosecuted for crimes related to the illegal trafficking of narcotic substances, chose not to speak before the panel of judges. His wife and brother, who are also named as co-defendants in the charges, followed the same strategy, refusing to explain how the drugs entered the national territory through the Port of Leixões, in Matosinhos.
According to figures presented by the Public Prosecution Service, the couple is believed to have pocketed more than €1.2 million from the criminal operation. The military officer's relative, in turn, is believed to have received approximately €150,000.
The arrest of the three suspects took place in August of last year, when investigators from the Judicial Police intercepted them following the arrival of another shipment at the port. The illegal cargo contained more than 1.3 tonnes of cocaine, hidden inside animal hides.
During the court session, although the defendant did not say a word, the judge read out the statements he had previously made during judicial questioning. In that testimony, the ex-captain admitted responsibility for the crimes and revealed that he had carried out the same operation twice before. The drugs arrived in Portugal by sea and were then transported to a warehouse located in Fafe. The military officer argued that his partner and brother had no knowledge of what was happening.
Source: Correio da Manhã
Source: Correio da Manhã