Category: Uncategorized

It was reported on 22^nd July 2014 that the Judicial Police, through the National Anti-Corruption Unit (UNCC), in collaboration with the Maritime Police, under International Cooperation and in compliance with a request of the authorities of the Republic of Ireland, participated in an investigation into an international organized group trying to smuggle tobacco yu using a merchant ship.

The operation, which mobilized many inspectors of the Judicial Police throughout the territory, was triggered after several months of investigation and involved, among other countries, Slovenia, place of shipment of merchandise, Portugal and the Republic of Ireland, the country of destination and landing.

The operation culminated in the arrest of some of the crew members of  vessel, the seizure of the vessel “MV Shingle” operating under  the Moldovan flag on the date of the seizure, as well as 32 ​​million cigarettes and about 4 tons of tobacco for hookah, valued at 14 million Euros.

The international organized group is composed of citizens of the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, and the twelve ship’s crew are Ukrainian nationality. This is the largest seizure of contraband tobacco this year in Europe.

PSP Lagos recently conducted an operation resulting in the arrest of three foreigners aged , 21, 20 and 18, for trafficking in narcotics.

These arrests came as a result of a two month investigation by the Lagos Police to eradicate drug trafficking in the city of Lagos. During the investigation it was possible to identify the suspects as regular suppliers of narcotics to consumers that city.

The suspects were intercepted during the execution of a search warrant obtained from the by Judicial Authority. As a result a total of 125 doses of heroin, 75 doses of cocaine, about 1030 €, 1 car, 1 computer, 13 mobile phones, 2 cameras, 2 precision balances and miscellaneous cutting narcotic product were seized.

The Judicial Police Officers in the South of the Country have,  following an investigation originating from a complaint, identified and arrested a man in the Eastern Algarve suspected of child sexual abuse.

The man aged 33 years took advantage of his family relationship with the victim who is under 13 years old,  involving acts of a sexual nature with her.

The man will appear before the judicial authorities for application of measures pending trial.

It has been reported by Europol that on 14 July 2014, Portuguese law enforcement authorities, with the support of Europol, dismantled an organised criminal group of West African and Portuguese nationals suspected of trafficking young mostly Nigerian women to Portugal and other EU countries in order to exploit them through forced prostitution.

The EUROPOL report adds that seven suspects were arrested in Portugal and seven house searches carried out. Mobile phones, computers and tablets and other significant evidentiary material relevant to the investigation were seized including a false passport.

These results are part of the long-running ‘Operation NAIRA’, an investigation into human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, led by the Portuguese Immigration Service (SEF). The investigation has been focusing on an organised crime network which trafficked young African females, from West Africa, to Portugal, France and Spain where they were forced into prostitution.

The victims of this particular criminal group are generally young Nigerian women from Benin City (Edo State) who are recruited in their places of origin, from where their trips are organised. Members of the criminal network in Portugal take care of logistics such as contacting the victims, providing accommodation and ID documents. The women often travel with forged travel documents or sometimes no documents at all.

On arrival at their destinations, most of the women identify themselves verbally as minors originating in Nigeria, Guinea and Mali and claim asylum (as allegedly instructed by their traffickers). They are then placed in shelters from where they later abscond and disappear. Victims are subsequently moved to other EU countries by the criminal group. The trafficking process for these vulnerable victims is characterised by threats against the victims and often includes debt bondage, the use of threats against the victims and/or their relatives, physical and sexual violence, and the use of “voodoo” rituals.

Europol actively supported this human trafficking operation and provided operational analytical support throughout the investigation to the countries involved. This included facilitating information exchange and analysis, organising an operational meeting at Europol and delivering real-time cross-checks of all data gathered in the course of the field action through the deployment of a Europol mobile office and an Europol analyst in Portugal.

 

British visitors to Portugal most law abiding abroad

The British Behaviour Abroad report 2014, published today, highlights that while millions of British nationals still travel abroad every year, there has been a decrease in some of the serious types of consular case in the past year.

Of the 20 countries included whereas the number of British visitors to Portugal is the 7th highest at 2,111,000 only 15 were arrested/detained where consular assistance was required, the lowest of all countries. This is down from 27 for 2012/13

The report adds:

Overall in the 20 countries regarding arrests, drug arrests and detentions there was a slight decrease (of 17 cases) –  in the overall number of arrests (total 5418) recorded in 2013/14 compared to the year before. Most cases were handled in Spain (1,389), followed by the USA (1,153) and the United Arab Emirates (261).

Although the total number of arrests globally has decreased, some countries have seen an increase in cases, including the Philippines, Egypt and France.

Drug arrests involving British nationals abroad have increased by 6% to 708, following the significant drop last year (669). However, the number of cases remains low compared to recent years.

Most drug arrests were handled in Spain with 173 cases, a 68% increase on the previous year (103 cases), which may be attributed to an increase in local authority action. The second largest number arrests were recorded in the USA with 102 cases, a 29% decrease on the previous year.

FCO advice: 

Don’t take risks with the law abroad – or you could end up throwing years of your life away in a foreign prison.

Think about what you are doing at all times and trust your instincts – do not take risks that you would not at home. Many countries have a zero-tolerance approach to offences involving drugs and alcohol and sentences can be long.

It is a good idea to research the local laws and customs of the country you are visiting – there may be serious penalties for breaking a law that might seem trivial at home. Advice relating to country-specific local laws and customs can be found at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.Read the full report here:  https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/330976/British_Behaviour_Abroad_report_2014.pdf

 

It was reported on 17th July 2014, that Judicial Police, through the National Unit for Combating Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, in collaboration with the Maritime Authority, have arrested  5 men of foreign nationality, three of them British, who are allegedly members of a transnational organization responsible for trafficking in large amounts of cocaine into Europe.

The police operation involved the seizure of 167 kgs of cocaine hidden inside six suitcases that had been stored in a secret compartment of a pleasure craft after it docked in the port of Sines the departure point being.

This operation is part of a framework of close international police cooperation between the British and other authorities.

Detainees aged 33, 45, 63 and 67, have appeared in court with an application to be placed under remand pening trial.

On 16th July 2014 the GNR arreted a 51 year old man for drug trafficking in the Quarteria area.

He was found to have in his pocession 45 doss of herion and was illeagally in Portugal. He was handed over to SEF and will be deported to Cape Verde.

After several days of surveillance the GNR Portimao arrested two men aged 47 and 59 years of age for cultivating a cannabis pantation inthe area of Marmalee, near Monchque.

The GNR recovered a total of 15 plants plus dried cannabis.

In a subsequent case it was reported on 17th July2014  that the GNR had arrested a person closeby in Tojeiro where a cannabis plantation was dismantled. The GNR were originally called in connection with a case of domestic violence. The report adds that this is an area where a community of hippies live.

Comment – This is the 9th such case n the area since the eginning of 2014.

On 16th July at 0245 hrs the PSP arrsested two Norwegians for swearing and attacking police who had been called toin response to a disturbance in a bar in the area.

In the early hours of 16th July 2014 a Canadian national was arrested in pocession of a loaded 7.65 pistol.

The GNR who searched his vehicle also discovered more ammunition and Euros 1132 in cash which were seized.

He is suspected of carying out a number of street robberies in Albufeira and Loule.