Nine arrested and 100 jerrycans seized in drug-trafficking operation in Albufeira
The GNR and Maritime Police arrested nine suspects near Falésia beach in Albufeira in a joint operation against drug-trafficking assistance.
Joint GNR and Maritime Police operation results in nine arrests in Albufeira
Nine men aged between 17 and 29 were arrested on Monday near Falésia beach in the municipality of Albufeira on suspicion of assisting in drug trafficking. The operation, which involved the joint participation of the National Republican Guard and the Maritime Police, also resulted in the seizure of 100 jerrycans of fuel found on the beach, according to the GNR's Coastal Control Unit.
According to CNN Portugal, the operation was launched following information about suspicious activity in the area. "Following information, the Maritime Police and Guard mobilised resources to the location, with action being developed in close coordination between the two forces in the vicinity of Falésia Beach. During the operation, Guard personnel proceeded to arrest, in flagrante delicto, the nine suspects for assisting in drug trafficking," the GNR said in a statement.
The GNR did not provide a total count of litres contained in the containers. In addition to the jerrycans, a vehicle, five registration certificates, three keys belonging to different vehicles, a drone and five mobile phones were seized.
The detainees will be brought before a court for initial judicial questioning and possible application of coercive measures, following the completion of further procedural steps conducted in coordination with the Public Prosecution Service.
Fuel serving maritime drug-trafficking networks
Seizures of jerrycans have increased in recent months in operations related to drug trafficking along the Portuguese coast and on the Guadiana river, which marks the border with Spain for the last approximately 60 kilometres to its mouth.
The fuel is used in high-speed vessels employed by drug-trafficking networks to transport drugs from ships on the open sea to the coast. From there, the product is transported by land towards Spain and other destinations on the European continent.
In response to the increase in this criminal activity, Portuguese police and military forces have strengthened patrols and surveillance of the coast, with the aim of combating international drug-trafficking networks that use the national coastline as a transport corridor.
Source: CNN Portugal