Fiscal employee among five arrested in illegal immigration scheme
Judicial Police operation dismantled network that charged substantial sums to foreigners for false documentation. Arrests occurred in several cities in central and northern regions.
Fiscal employee among five arrested in illegal immigration scheme
Five men were arrested in a police operation that dismantled a network dedicated to supplying false documents to foreigners in exchange for substantial payments. Among those arrested is an employee of a Tax Authority office in the central region.
The Judicial Police conducted operations on Tuesday in Cantanhede, Pombal, Alcobaça and Porto. The investigation, which began in September of last year, indicates that the group operated for several years, facilitating the illegal entry and stay of thousands of citizens from other countries in national territory.
According to the authorities, the suspects charged high amounts for each regularisation process. The clients — mostly immigrants — believed they were legalising their situation in Portugal, when in reality the group merely provided them with fraudulent documentation.
A particularly serious aspect: many of the foreigners who were listed as workers in Portugal to the Social Security and tax authorities were actually engaged in professional activity in other European Union member states, without ever having set foot in the country.
In addition to the public employee, three men linked to the business world were also arrested. The fifth detainee was caught carrying a prohibited weapon.
The operation involved the participation of approximately 90 Judicial Police officers, including experts in areas such as IT, accounting and weapons. Sixteen domestic searches were carried out.
During the searches, officers seized large quantities of paperwork related to immigrant cases, computers and other electronic devices, three firearms and approximately 50,000 euros in cash.
The five suspects are aged between 33 and 55 and have no criminal record. They will be brought before a judge for questioning and a decision on preventive detention or other coercive measures.
Source: Público
Source: Google News PT — Crime (pt)