Thirteen arrested with 200 jerrycans of petrol released due to lack of prosecutor in Tavira
The GNR arrested 13 suspects in Santa Luzia, Tavira, with 200 jerrycans of petrol linked to drug trafficking. They were released the same day due to insufficient staff at the Public Prosecution Service.
Thirteen suspects released after arrest with jerrycans of petrol in Tavira
Thirteen suspects arrested during the early hours of Monday by the GNR in Santa Luzia, Tavira, were released at the end of the same day — not due to lack of evidence, but due to lack of an available prosecutor at court. Correio da Manhã reports that the accused were caught with 200 jerrycans of petrol which authorities suspect were intended for refuelling speedboats used by drug trafficking networks.
Interception on road and outboard motor in vehicles
GNR officers from Vila Real de Santo António stopped the suspects in Santa Luzia. In addition to the 200 jerrycans, the vehicles also carried an outboard motor, an element that reinforces suspicion of links to maritime trafficking. The detainees are of Spanish, Moroccan and Romanian nationality.
Public Prosecution Service cites lack of staff
The release took place at the end of the afternoon, without formal questioning, and the accused were notified to appear in court only on 18 September. In a dispatch, the Public Prosecution Service justified the situation citing shortage of human resources in urgent services in Tavira.
"Ideally it would be possible to carry out all the work without exceptions, but unfortunately that is not possible. Moreover, it is to my knowledge that on the present date only a single employee is working in the urgent services at the MP office in Tavira," the Public Prosecution Service dispatch reads.
Lawyer describes release as "entirely justified"
Lawyer Pedro Pestana, who represents the 13 accused, confirmed to Correio da Manhã the release and described it as entirely justified, without advancing other details regarding the defence of his clients.
Source: Correio da Manhã