The Judiciary Police (PJ), through its National Anti-Corruption Unit, carried out dawn raids in Lisbon, Alcoentre, Sintra, and Funchal, carrying out a total of 32 search and seizure warrants. This operation targets an alleged criminal scheme involving, among others, prison guards suspected of facilitating the entry of illicit substances into prison establishments, in exchange for patrimonial advantages.
The authorities carried out 14 home searches and 18 non-home searches, as part of an ongoing investigation into the practice of crimes such as active and passive corruption, drug trafficking, trafficking in prohibited substances and methods, falsification of documents, and money laundering.
The Directorate-General for Reintegration and Prison Services has actively collaborated with the investigation, providing support through the Directorate of Security Services and the Prison Intervention and Security Group (GISP), during the investigations.
So far, 13 suspects have been arrested, two of whom are prison guards. The operation was supervised by an investigating judge and accompanied by a magistrate from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, with the support of about 200 inspectors and experts from the Judiciary Police.
The detainees will be presented for the first judicial interrogation, where the application of appropriate coercive measures will be assessed.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
The investigation remains ongoing and authorities do not rule out further arrests as new elements are ascertained.
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