An employee of the Funchal City Council (CMF) was detained, last Wednesday, by the Public Security Police (PSP), in Viveiros.
A source from media outlet, JM, reported that the arrest took place around 19:00 by plainclothes policemen. The individual, who had drugs in his possession, was also found to have ‘illicit money and substances’ in his CMF vehicle.
Later reports confirm that the employee has been charged with drug trafficking, embezzlement, and use and abuse of power.Â
The PSP also confirms that warrants for home and non-home searches were applied for, and as a result, the police have seized data and computer documents, including electronic communication information.
“The investigation, which had been going on for about a year, focused on an individual who sold what is presumed to be alpha-PHP and/or alpha-PiHP to third parties,” explains the police source, adding that during the process, several doses of narcotic product, drug money, a mobile phone and several prohibited weapons were seized. The vehicle used by the defendant was also seized and has since been handed back to the CMF.
The defendant has been released while waiting for a toxicology report on the substances found. The CMF has also confirmed that the man has been suspended pending further notice.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com