On 7th August 2014 in the early hours of the morning SEF Faro conducted and operation at night clubs in Olhao, aimed at combating the sexual exploration of foreign women illegally in Portugal.
A total of 15 persons were checked and two were found to be illegally in the country. One was arrested and taken to court and the other order to leave Portugal within 20 days.
On 10th August 2014 from 00h00 and 07h00 the GNR conducted Operation Baco aimed against those driving under the influence of alcohol and psychotropic substances and the fight against crime.
The areas where the operation took place were roads where there is a high risk of road accidents especially those accessing nightlife establishments. As a result of the operation 115 were arrested for drunk driving in access of 1.20g/l.
For records of the first half of this year, 11 711 drivers with higher rate of alcohol were detected when permitted by law, of whom 4603 had a blood alcohol equal / greater than 1.20 g / l. Overall this is 3897 less than the same period last year, and 1608 less in respect of those over 1.20g/l. Concerning driving under the influence of drugs 56 drivers were arrested in the first 6 months of 2014 12 more than in the same period of 2013
The Judicial Police, through the Directorate of Lisbon and Tagus Valley, have identified and arrested three men, 20, 21 and 44 years old, in connection with aggravated robbery and kidnapping.
The cases were committed in May last year, on public roads in Cascais. The alleged perpetrators approached the victim, a woman, forcing her into a car and threatened her with a firearm. Having seized her personal property the vehicle was abandoned some time later.
The detainees will appear before the court for remand proceedings and Judicial Police to will investigate the possible involvement of the group in similar cases.
The Judicial Police, Central area) conducted an operation at the “Boom Festival” taking place in Idanha-a-Nova, Castelo Branco, after receiving information from its foreign counterparts, detained three festival goers, on suspicion of possession of drugs in significant quantities.
One of the individuals was in possession of 363 ecstasy tablets, 255 seals of LSD, 115 grams of MDMA powder, about 20 doses of hashish and knives. A 26-year-old was subsequently arrested and has a criminal record for drug trafficking in their country of origin. The person will appear before court for application of remand/reporting conditions.
On 7th August 2014 GNR Loulé arrested a citizen aged 34 years old, for drug trafficking, and seized more than 3900 individual doses of heroin.
During an anti-drug operation the arrested person, who was from the metropolitan area of Lisbon, was stopped in his car on the Estrada Nacional, Quarteira.
When the GNR approached the vehicle the occupant became nervous. The vehicle was searched and three small packages containing the drugs were found in the back seat of the vehicle. In addition two mobile phones and 187 euros in cash were seized.
The detainee has a criminal record for drug trafficking, arms trafficking and theft and tampering of vehicles, among other crimes and will appear at the Judicial District Court of Loulé for determination of remand/reporting conditions.
It has been reported that there have been 18 holiday home booking scams reported to the GNR during July and August particularly in the areas of Vilamoura, Albufeira, Portimao and Olhao.
This involves holiday homes advertised on the internet and after the deposit has been paid nothing further was heard from the holiday home provider. On one day very recently 8 such complaints were made to the GNR. In one particularly case a lady lost her deposit of €700 and others have also lost amounts from €300 upwards.
The Central Bureau of Investigation and Criminal Action (DCIAP/PGR has issued an alert on this subject.
Safe Communities Algarve has comprehensive advice on this subject on its website which was drawn up following correspondence with a specialist lawyer in the UK. The advice can be found at our How to Avoid Bogus Holiday Rental scams
On 31st July 2014 the crime investigation unit of GNR Loulé, in collaboration with GNR Almancil, conducted an operation resulting in the attest of a 58 year old Portuguese citizen for theft.
Following a theft that had taken place in a residence the victim reported this to GNR Almancil, who commenced an investigation which located the culprit at Ilha de Faro.
A search was conducted where the culprit was staying and a number of items that had been stolen on the same day and previous day at two residences located in the Vale do Garrão and Quinta do Lago were found and seized. This included two mobile phones, two laptops, two Iphones, an Ipad, an LCD, an external disk, a pair of speakers and a lady’s handbag of a well know brand valued at several thousand euros. Together the objects recovered had a total estimated value of € 12,000.
In addition to these objects, a number of computer items as well as various tools and objects used in connection with the thefts were seized.
The detainee who has criminal records for drug trafficking, robbery, theft and possession of prohibited weapons, has appeared before the Judicial Court of Loulé for application of remand/reporting conditions pending trial.
Operation Welcome
On the 2nd and 3rd August 20124, the GNR will be conducting an operation involving increased road patrols, with the aim of supporting migrants and foreign tourists entering Portugal by land, using the boundaries of Valencia (district of Viana do Castle), Vila Verde da Raia (Vila Real district), Quintanilla (district of Bragança), Vilar Formoso (district of Guarda), Caia (district of Portalegre) and Castro Marim (Faro district).
During the operation, which will with the collaboration of Associação Estradas de Portugal, Portugal and Associação CAP MAGELLAN Association, will involve 122 GNR officers from commands at Bragança, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Guarda, Portalegre and Faro.
The GNR will provide information regarding the main causes of accidents and as rest periods, their frequency and duration. In parallel, the supervisory component will focus on driving under the influence of alcohol, speed control, the use of safety belts and child restraint systems and the condition of the tyres.
They will also distribute leaflets to drivers, developed in partnership with the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), which contain advice for the prevention of road accidents and crime. The aim of this initiative, supporting migrants and tourists visiting our country, is to reinforce the concept of “Portugal, a safe destination”, by increasing the feeling of safety and contributing to the reduction of road accidents