Month: October 2015

On 8^th October the Judicial Police, through the National Unit for Combating Drug Trafficking, in cooperation with the Tax Authority and Customs, arrested four foreign nationals, two men and two women, strongly suspected being part of a network importing cocaine into the Iberian Peninsula, and further distribution through illicit circuits, considerable quantities of the drug shipped from South America by air.

The arrest of the two women took place at the Lisbon International Airport where a total of 16 kilograms of cocaine was discovered in the linings of two suitcases transported from Santa Fe de Bogota, Colombia.

Based on this arrest by the Judicial Police, it was possible to identify and arrest the planned recipients of narcotic product, who lived in Madrid, but who had expressly travelled to Lisbon to collect the cocaine that had been seized. The detainees, aged between 28 and 54 years old, all of them unemployed, were present at the first judicial interrogation

Delta phase of fighting forest fires, with moderate risk period began on 1^st October and runs until 31st October. This succeeds the critical period of fires – Charlie phase, which ended on September 30.

During the Delta phase the following resources are mobilized 1,268 teams / groups / brigades of the different forces involved, comprising 5,517 personnel and 1,286 vehicles. With regards to air support there are a total of 22 aircraft available, including 3 light helicopters, 3 heavy helicopters, 8 medium helicopters, medium fixed wing aircraft, 6 amphibians and two heavy aircraft.

On 3rd October the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) conducted an operation, in coordination with the French authorities, under which they arrested six individuals, one of whom is in Portugal in connection with the trafficking of illegal immigrants.

A person aged 33 years was arrested by the SEF in Lisbon following a search his home and vehicle, under court orders.

The criminal investigation has been over a period of nearly two years, under the direction of DIAP Lisbon, in coordination with the French authorities aimed at a group of people who are dedicated to the transport of illegal immigrants from various countries of the European Union for Portugal, using false documents or fraudulently obtained documents.

During the investigation, called “Operation Bouquet ‘the network’s movements were closely watched, collecting abundant evidence of the operation of the group that was receiving considerable income collected from the payment of’ services’ provided to illegal immigrants. The trips were made by land, in light cars and minivans, with the various destinations in Europe.

The operation was initiated, with the monitoring of European agencies Europol and Eurojust, initially in France with the arrest of five individuals.

The operation is ongoing

So far this year the GNR and PSP have caught an average of almost 13 000 drunk drivers at the wheel with an alcohol rate of 1.20 g/l which is a criminal offence. This averages 47 per day.

This is an increase of 1900 cases compared to last year. In addition the PSP and GNR caught 181 345 drivers with alcohol rates between 0.20 and 1.19 g / l. In total, each day some 709 people are caught drunk driving.

According to data from police reported in Correio da Manha, between January 1 and 1^st October the GNR stopped 8720 drivers and the PSP 4274, who had crime alcohol limit equal to or greater than 1.20 g / l.

The highest number of drink driving cases have taken place in Braga 2791 with 971 arrests; Algarve 2620 with 936 arrests and Averio 268 with 1281 arrests.

“These figures are of concern and this why we are strengthening prevention operations. The drink driving together with speeding and the non – wearing of seat belts are the major causes of fatal accidents”, said the GNR source. The GNR is also concerned of the large proportion of drivers who had been caught over the criminal alcohol rate. In the three areas above some 39% of drivers caught were 1.20 g/l or over. It’s a very high proportion and it deserves reflection and probably increasing the penalties,” he argues.