Category: Uncategorized

It was reported by Europol on 22nd July that a total of 36 people have been arrested and four others have been charged with belonging to an organised criminal group engaged in drugs trafficking from the Spanish enclave of Melilla into Europe. Among those arrested was the head of the criminal group, a Dutch national with Moroccan origin.

The Spanish Guardia Civil, working with Europol, also seized cannabis resin totalling over half a tonne, EUR 124 000 in cash, a sports boat, a jet ski and 22 luxury vehicles, two of which were equipped with sophisticated concealment systems. In addition computers, extensive documentation, 47 mobile phones, 3 GPS systems and a maritime GPS belonging to the boat were seized. The seizures were a result of searches carried out in houses in Melilla (5), Málaga (2), Almería (4), Madrid (2) and Amsterdam (2), a boat in Almeria and a shop in Madrid.

The investigation began in July 2013, when the Guardia Civil started to pursue an alleged international organised crime group involved in drug trafficking activities. Officers discovered vehicles equipped with false bottoms that were being used to smuggle cannabis resin from Morocco/Spain to different EU countries including the Netherlands and Germany. The vehicles were crossing from Morocco to Spain via Melilla on passenger ferries, often travelling with young children in order to avoid suspicion. The criminal groups used very sophisticated concealment techniques in bottom of the vehicles, making them almost impossible to detect. They also constantly changed vehicles and routes to avoid detection.

In addition to hosting technical meetings and providing operational support, Europol extracted data contained in the seized mobile phones and other electronic storage devices, resulting in 47 separate reports to the investigative team. In addition, Europol experts will cross-check the extracted data and carry out any appropriate intelligence analysis. International support for the operation also came from Eurojust, who coordinated activities at the judicial level including European Arrest Warrants.

On 27^th July 2014 the criminal investigation unit of GNR Loulé, in collaboration with the GNR Quarteira, conducted an operation to combat drug trafficking by executing two search warrants at two residences located in Quarteira.

The operation, was a culmination of an investigation into theft and larceny crimes, resulting in the arrest of three people aged 22, 27 and 28-year-old indicted for theft and drug trafficking.

During the operation 65 individual doses of cocaine and 25 of  hashish was also seized as well as several objects thought to be connected with the unlawful activity namely a game console, an iPod, a camera six mobile phones and even a clock.

The GNR consider that this has tackled those responsible for burglary and theft that occurred in recent days in Quarteira and Vilamoura.

Detainees, originating from the metropolitan area of ​​Lisbon, will appear at the Judicial District Court of Loulé for application of remand conditions.

On 21st July 2014 a 36 year old British national was arrested whilst leaving a hotel in Albufeira carrying a stolen backpack.

The suspect was seen by the owner of the backpack who recognized the bag as belonging to him. The GNR were called and the man arrested. According to reported the culprit lives in Lisbon and was visiting the Algarve. He is suspected carrying out at least 10 thefts in hotels in the Algarve and other areas of Portugal as well as Malaga and Ibiza.

On being seen by the owner of the backpack he tried to flee but was intercepted by the GNR.

A number of items were recovered including cash.

 

 

It was reported in the local media on 26th July 2014 that a property in Montechoro, Albufeira rented by a group of Spanish tourists had been broken into and over €100 in cash stolen.

The culprit(s) entered by breaking a rear window. According to the report they found the key to the hire car parked in the driveway but the car was not stolen. There was an attempt to break into the neighbouring houses but without success.

On 24th July 2014, the GNR who had been investigation a case of domestic violence, visited a property in Quarteira and arrested a person for the illegal possession of firearms.

A total of two revolvers, a hunting rifle, a shotgun, an airgun and various types of ammunition pus a knife and baton were seized.

On 25th July 2014 a 46 year old man was arrested by the GNR in Portimao in the area of Alvor for suspected drug dealing.

During an anti-drug operation in the area the GNR discovered 1635 doses of hashish; 2.3 gms of MDMA (ecstasy) and 2.4 gms of cannabis in his house and in a car.

 

On 23rd July 2014 the Maritime Police during an operation at Rocha da Baixinha Maccente, Albufeira apprehended 16 hawkers, 8 of whom were found to be unlicensed.

One of them a 30 year old Brazilian reportedly was selling swimwear using an ATM card reader/terminal. She was employed by a nearby company but had gone to the beach to sell various swimwear items. The 8 unlicensed hawkers were find between €25 and €2500 euros and some 1000 items including watches, sunglasses, accessories and towels were seized.

On 24th July 2014 a security guard patrolling a tourist area in Lagos was arrested by the GNR for not having a license. The security guard is aged 22 years and should have obtained a license issued by the Ministry of Internal Administration.

The criminal investigation unit of PSP Faro District Command,following a 6 week investigation have apprehended four youths aged 19 to 22 years for damaging the windscreens of over 100 vehicles using a gas gun firing lead pellets.

The damage took place in June involving vehicles from Vila Real de Santa Antonio and Tavira. The operation leading to the identification of the suspects involved two house searches in Monte Gordo during which a moped and alcohol believed to have been stolen was seized. A small amount of drugs was also seized.

 

The PSP police has launched its child safety bracelets scheme. The aim of this is that by wearing a bracelet should a child go missing and is found the finder can contact the police and through giving the special code on the bracelet the child can be reunited with their parents. The bracelets are available at all 7 PSP stations in the Algarve and work in any country in Europe with a 112 emergency number.

It is recommended that the bracelets be worn for those up to the age of 12 years, whether the child is a tourist, visitor or resident. The bracelets are available until 30th September 2014. Upon issuing the bracelet, the details of the child and parents can be registered on the data base at the police station or later on-line. Some 30,000 have been issued to date.

Bracelets are being handed out at airports by the PSP on a periodic basis.