Month: May 2014

On the night of 17th May 2014 at 03:00, the night guard of Quarteira, caught in the act a man aged 45 years stealing non-precious metals.

The man was in the process of stealing the various metal items from the warehouse of Sandomania Coffee, located at Rua Vasco da Gama, when he was intercepted by a night guard.

The man was subsequently found to be possession of additional material, namely iron pipes, electric material and taps. The GNR confirmed that these had been stolen from a Beauty Institute, which adjoins the aforementioned property. The culprit entered by scaling the wall.

Among the stolen material, the iron pipes were found to be disconnected from a water system therefore causing a loss of around € 300.

Belgian and Dutch judicial and law enforcement authorities, supported by the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) at Europol and Eurojust, have concluded an operation resulting in the arrest of 12 members of an organised crime group and the seizure of EUR 15 000 in cash and important digital evidence in a voice-phishing case.

Earlier this year, following months of close judicial and law enforcement cooperation, Belgium and the Netherlands conducted simultaneous arrests and house searches.

Investigations to identify potential criminal connections in other Member States are ongoing.

Voice-phishing is a relatively new form of cybercrime. In this case, the potential victims in Belgium first received an e-mail, seemingly from a Belgian bank, asking for personal information. In the second phase, the criminals, located in the Netherlands, made direct contact with the potential victims in Belgium by telephone to gain access to private and personal information. The collected information was subsequently used to access bank accounts in Belgium and transfer money. The Belgian victims and banks suffered millions of euros in losses.

On 15th May 2014 in the afternoon, the GNR Loulé undertook an operation to combat drug trafficking involving the execution of a search warrant at a residence located in Almancil.

The operation, was the culmination of an investigation which commenced several months ago and resulted in the arrest of a citizen aged 30 years for the crime of drug trafficking.

Whilst conducting the search of the residence 605 individual doses of hashish, plus 170 euros in cash, 49 rounds of 6.35 mm caliber ammunition, brass knuckles, 9 mobile phones and various items into gold were located and seized.

During the operation the GNR identified multiple consumers on site where the suspect was engaged in selling the drugs.  The GNR believe the conclusion of this investigation has given a strong blow to trafficking of drugs in Almancil.

It was noted that the individual has been arrested on other occasions for the same type of crime. He appeared at the Judicial District Court of Loulé for an application to be remanded in custody

On 11th May 2014 GNR Tavira arrested  seven persons aged between 21 and 48 years old , indicted for the crime of drug trafficking, and seized 2044 kilos of hashish.

In the early evening, the GNR were alerted to the presence of several unknown individuals near a tourist village at Santa Luzia. The GNR patrol observed four persons acting suspiciously.

Subsequent surveillance  led to the location in the Ria de Santa Luzia of two vessels suspected to be involved in carry drugs. They were searched and each was found to be carrying about 40 bales  which were hidden in various compartments totaling 2044 pounds of hashish.

In addition to these four individuals , the GNR arrested three others who were in the process of meeting the detainees as part of the trafficking operation.

Also seized were the two vessels ( length of about 7 m) with 225 hp and 150hp engines, a car and seven mobile phones .

Two other individuals were also identified  and a light goods vehicle suspected to be intended for the transport of the product narcotic seized.

The District Police Command Public Security Faro reports that during the weekend (10th and 11th May) that the Police Division Faro arrested two citizens; one male of foreign national aged 21 years old and other of Portuguese nationality, aged 18 , both residing in Quarteira and identified a third person aged 25  residing in Faro.

The two arrested persons were apprehended minutes after they committed a robbery on a  group of students who had just left the academic week and had moved to their homes.

The detainees had in their possession items stolen from the students as well as others from various robberies carried out during the same night and the night before. This included four mobile phones, a watch, some pieces of clothing valued about €100 each, cash and a weapon that was used to threaten and attack the victims.

The suspects approach victims requesting a cigarette  which then turned into a demand for money and then violence, including threats and attacks with a weapon.

The two detainees will be attending the judicial authority  for the first judicial interrogation and application to be held in remand.

On 12th May 2014  the Police Criminal Investigation Unit of PSP Portimão arrested a man and a woman aged 28 and 25 years old respectively, for drug trafficking.

The operation was carried out following surveillance and involved a search of a house where 238 individual doses of hashish and 3 plants of “cannabis sativa” and  a “Hookah” commonly used in drug abuse, were seized.

Both suspects were notified to appear before the Court of Portimão, on 13th May.

It was reported that on 7th May 2014 a 70 year old former teacher from a secondary school in Albufeira was arrested in the Dominican republic after it was discovered that 50 kgs of cocaine was found in her suitcase.

The teacher (a Portuguese national) who was in a group of five elderly persons had boarded a flight to Lisbon at Punta Cana airport and was awaiting for take off when the the arrest took place.

The lady and her friends in the group have denied that the suitcase belonged to her and it is alleged that officials at the airport placed a name tag in her name on the suitcase. In the container where the suitcase was found other drugs were also discovered.

The flight was an Airbus A310-304 chartered under the name of “White Airways”.

According to sources police believe she may have been targeted by an interational drug trafficking gang.

On 9th May at 0320 hrs the Military Intervention Detachment of the National Guard Faro arrested a 38 years person for the crime of robbery.

During an anti-crime patrol in Albufeira a report was received from the owner of a restaurant located in one of the busiest arteries of the city stating that someone had broken into the restaurant.

When the GNR intervention unit arrived they found broken glass to the exterior door of the restaurant and discovered the suspect still inside.

The detainee was apprehended in the kitchen of the restaurant. It was discovered that extensive damage had been caused to the inside the property, including a computer and the cash register.

A search of the suspect was carried out and € 565 in notes and coins from the cash register was found and seized.

The person was arrested and will appear in court.

Dealing with forest fires involves a number of agencies which is coordinated by the ANPC Civil Protection agency. Other agencies such as the GNR also have vital roles to play with specialist units such as SEPNA that deal with environment protection issues and GIPS who deal with emergency situations such as fighting fires, other natural disasters and the evacuation and rescuing of victims. SEPNA has a wide range of responsibilities dealing, for instance, with cruelty to animals. 

In order that residents are more aware of the work of these agencies Safe Communities Algarve is holding, together with the GNR, a number of displays and seminars where people can speak to those involved and view some of the emergency equipment. The ANPC have also agreed to participate.

These displays/seminars are focused at those living in rural areas and will be in English. Captain Santos Commander of GNR Faro will be present together with GNR specialist units and their Safe Residence Programme team. Details are the events are as follows:

• Tuesday 20th May 2014 from 1700 to 1900 hrs at the Freguesia de Santa Bárbara de Nexe, located at Rua Da Junta de Freguesia 8, Santa Bárbara de Nexe

• Thursday 22nd May 2014 from 1700 to 1900 at the Museu Do Trajo de Algarve, Rua Dr Jose Dias Sancho 61, Sao Bras de Alportel

• Friday 30th May 2014 1600 to 1800 – Monchique (details to be confirmed)

I would advise everyone to attend these seminars and displays as it will be an excellent opportunity to speak directly to those involved in civil protection planning and dealing with natural disasters including fires – which could affect your property.

If you wish to attend please contact info@safecommunitiesalgarve.com

On the morning of 8th May 2014 a GNR patrol in Albufeira arrested a 42 year old Portuguese citizen aged 42 years for pickpocketing .

The patrol noticed the culprit using a distraction technique stealing the wallet of the victim. The patrol then followed the culprit along the Avenida dos  Descobrimentos  before arresting him a few seconds later.

The victim was a British tourist and the stolen items were returned to him.

The culprit has a history for theft and is to appear at the Judicial District Court of Albufeira.