Major operation in Portugal: Network illegally regularising thousands of migrants dismantled
Portuguese police dismantled a criminal group responsible for the illegal regularisation of around 4,000 migrants and arrested two of its alleged leaders.
Major operation in Portugal: Network illegally regularising thousands of migrants dismantled
Portuguese police announced on Tuesday that they dismantled a criminal group responsible for the illegal regularisation of the status of around 4,000 migrants and arrested two of its alleged leaders. The "Terra Maravilhosa" operation, carried out on the outskirts of Lisbon, targeted an organisation dedicated to illegal immigration, document falsification, computer fraud and money laundering. According to the authorities, the illegal regularisation of approximately 4,000 migrants over recent years generated hundreds of thousands of euros in illicit profits.
The centre-right government has tightened immigration policy, arguing that shortcomings in the system built by the previous administration allowed widespread abuse.
Portugal, with around 10.5 million inhabitants, has experienced an increase in immigration in recent years.
The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) estimates that last year more than 1.5 million foreign citizens resided legally in the country, approximately double the number recorded three years earlier.
Source: 24sata
Source: 24sata