Category: Uncategorized

On 19^th June 2014 GNR Silves with the support of the GNR Intervention Unit Faro, executed a search warrant at a property in Vales de Pera, Pera.

The operation, which took place following an investigation into a crime of drug trafficking, culminating in the arrest of a citizen  aged 43 years residing locally, indicted for the crime of drug trafficking and possession of prohibited weapons.

During the search of the residence 80 individual doses of hashish, 26 meters of cannabis still in the growth phase (in pots) and 4 meters of mature cannabis already in the drying phase were seized. Also seized were 112 grams of dried cannabis leaf saltiva, an extendable baton, a baton and a taser weapon. The property contained a greenhouse for the cultivation of cannabis plants, consisting of solar panel wind turbine, which were also seized.

The detainee is to appear at the Judicial District Court of Silves for determination of remand measures

It was reported on 13th June that European law enforcement authorities have sent a strong signal to the gangs of organised metal thieves who operate all over Europe, and the many scrapyards that accept all kinds of metal with ‘no questions asked’.

In a two-day operation, authorities in 20 European countries, supported by Europol, made 271 arrests, identified 146 cases of theft and checked 8300 scrap metal dealers. Checks were carried out at scrapyards, on construction sites, along border roads, railway tracks and other hot spots for metal theft. Specific scrapyards suspected of handling stolen goods were also checked. During the action days, cross-checks were made in real time with Europol’s databases.

“Metal theft is not a victimless crime – it can have a devastating impact on individuals, communities and businesses. The overall damage caused by metal theft far exceeds the value of the stolen metal itself and can severely affect key infrastructure and services such as railways, traffic controls and telecoms networks. This crime phenomenon can only be tackled through consistent cross-border law enforcement cooperation, and the use of Europol’s information systems and analysis capabilities,” says Rob Wainwright, Director of Europol.

The operation, which saw the Belgian Federal and Judicial Police as the main driver, took place at the end of May 2014, and was the result of an initiative launched during the 2nd conference on metal theft held at Europol at the end of April this year. The operation is part of an ongoing EMPACT2 programme focusing on Organised Property Crime, which is a current priority within the EU.

Intelligence confirms that stolen metal is often transported across several borders and sold as scrap, or for recycling, far away from the scene of the crime. Information gathered during this operation will be further analysed by Europol in order to pinpoint the main modus operandi and the people and gangs involved in this illegal trade.

Participating countries were: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Metal theft has emerged as a significant criminal phenomenon across EU Member States in recent years. Thieves are now also targeting catalytic converters from parked cars because they contain valuable metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium.

Taller cars with more ground clearance, such as sports utility vehicles (SUVs) or vans, are specifically targeted as it is easier to remove their catalytic converters, which are installed to reduce the poisonous gases from a vehicle’s exhaust system.

The value of catalytic converters depends on the type of vehicle. The minimum price for the precious metal contained in one converter is EUR 50 on the second-hand market. The value and accessibility of catalytic converters (CATs) makes them attractive targets for theft. They are stolen from vehicles parked on the street as well as from recycling companies. Recently, a recycling company in Belgium lost 300 second-hand CATs, worth EUR 15 000, to theft. Costs for a vehicle owner to replace a stolen catalytic converter can be more than EUR 1500.

Many offenders involved in the theft of CATs belong to mobile organised crime groups, operating across borders and covering long distances. These criminals often target entire fleets in a single night. Many of these groups have previously been involved in other types of property crime such as burglaries and thefts of lorries, vehicle batteries, boat engines and diesel.

The thieves sell the catalytic converters to metal dealers who ask no questions and then extract the precious metals from the CAT’s ceramic core. Some criminals are able to remove the cores themselves and sell them directly to refining companies, making it impossible to trace the theft.

To reduce the risk of theft, when possible:

Park your car in a garage

Park where access is controlled and CCTV is active

Park in an area that allows visibility to passersby

Park in well-lit areas

If you operate a fleet of cars, park smaller and lower cars around the high risk cars to obstruct access

Mark the metal shell of the catalytic converter with a unique mark to make it easier to trace it back to your car.

On the afternoon of 18^th June 2014 a man aged 38 years was arrested by GNR Albufeira whilst stealing items from a residential property. 

Following a report made that the person was in the property the GNR immediately responded and arrived shortly at the location. The culprit realizing the arrival of the GNR tried to escape with stolen goods, jumping from the second floor window sustaining a fractured ankle. He was arrested on the spot and transported by INEM for a hospital for medical evaluation. The goods were recovered.

The Judicial Police, through the National Anti-Corruption Unit (UNCC) and in collaboration with the Public Ministry (DCIAP) related to the fraud investigation to the National Health Service (NHS), arrested two doctors, a  pharmacy proprietary and another person in the areas of Lisbon and Tras-os-Montes, by falsifying medical prescriptions, swindling the State, corruption and criminal association. 

During the operation nine house searches were conducted and material relating to the illegal activities surfaced during the investigation, were seized. The detainees will be brought to justice, to determine the measures to be taken with a view to the collecting of further evidence to determine the level of injury caused to the Portuguese State through improper reimbursements.

On 18^th June 2014 the PSP Faro through the Police Criminal Investigation unit Faro, conducted an anti-drug operation during which they arrested three Portuguese citizens aged 31, 33 and 39 respectively.

The detainees were stopped in the street and following house searches a total of  720 doses of heroin, 400 doses of hashish, decimal scales and a car were seized.

 

Following a 5 month investigation the Police Criminal Investigation unit of PSP Portimão arrested on 19^th June at 0100 hrs a person aged 34 years, for possession and trafficking of narcotic drugs, in the center of Portimão.

Items seized were 35 doses of heroin, 26 doses of cocaine and 25 €, suspected to be the proceeds from the sale of narcotics.

Later, at about 10.15 hrs , following the execution of search warrants at a house and a car, a man aged 29 years and a woman aged 32 years were arrested for drug trafficking. As a result of the searches,1860 individual doses of heroin, 2185 individual doses of cocaine, 1 car, 5 phones, 2 cameras, 2 computers, 1 precision scale, about 1200 Euros in cash and various materials involved  in the handling and packaging of narcotics were seized.

The suspect will be present at the Court of Portimão on 20^th June.

Building on the success of our series of our wildfire prevention and environment protection seminars, the next in the series will be held in Messines on Thursday 26th June 2014 from 1730 to 1930 hrs and in Silves on 4^th July 2014 at the same time.

This time the seminars will be in a slightly different format; the first half from 1730 to 1830 hrs being in Portuguese and the second part from 1830 to 1930 hrs in English. The events are being organized jointly by Safe Communities Algarve and GNR Silves and will include the participation of the Municipal Civil Protection Agency. The GNR will be represented by the Commander of GNR Silves Captain Antonio Ramos and his presentation will cover the work of the GNR SEPNA concerning forest fire prevention and environmental protection.

If you live in a rural area these are important events at the start of the critical fire period.

The Messines event will be held at the Junta de Fregusia de Messines and the Silves Seminar will be held at the Public Library. Those wishing to attend are requested to register by contacting Safe Communities Algarve at info@safecommunitiesalgarve.com or on 913045093

 

Although reported in Spain this is a scam involving English speaking fraudsters to be aware of.

On 3rd June 2014, The technological Research Unit of the Spanish National Police reported that they had recently received several inquiries and complaints from people who have been victims of a fraud committed over the telephone. Those affected received a call from a person speaking English, with an accent of southern Asia, posing as a member of the technical support of leading multinational software.

The technician informs the user of a security problem on the computer and asks the user to remotely access your computer to fix it. With control of the PC in their hands, the authors demand money to install a security system, and if the affected person decides not to pay, they will block the computer.

The vast majority of people affected by these malicious calls are in English-speaking countries, mainly North America and the UK, although specialists in technological research of the National Police have identified the first cases of this fraud in Spain.

The first victims in our country are scattered in various provinces as Segovia, Cordoba and Cadiz and one of them has come to lose about 200 euros. This phone fraud in particular, communication is done in English and the number from which the call is made hidden or sometimes starts with different international codes appears.

Tips to avoid becoming a victim of this fraud

–         If you are not a customer or have not requested assistance, ignore phone calls made on behalf of the service of any company.

–         Do not allow access to your computer to any unknown person

–         Do not pay any monetary amount or provide information about your credit card to pay for services you did not request

In the case of falling into deception is recommended that you contact your Internet service provider to check your network connection and verify if any unlawful access to your router has taken place. If you have been defrauded then in Portugal you should report the matter to the Judicial Police

The Portuguese Naval authority is to launch an investigation after one of it’s sailors was arrested in Moncarpacho by the GNR in possession of 30 kgs equal to 150,000 doses of pollen hashish. He was also carrying a Glock 9mm firearm.

He was accompanied by another person whose details are as yet unknown. Both men were from Lisbon. When approached local media the Navy had no information on the case but will open an investigation.