Category: Uncategorized

In Guimarães, Braga district, PSP detained two 19-year-olds for counterfeiting and seized five counterfeit 100-euro notes.

In a statement, PSP said that the suspects, with counterfeit 100-euro notes, went to shops and obtained low-value goods, paying with the counterfeit and receiving the amount corresponding to the change.

In each situation they caused a monetary loss of about 95 euros to the merchant.

After learning that several counterfeit currency situations were occurring, PSP detained the suspects and seized five counterfeit 100-euro notes, in addition to 740 euros and a mobile phone.

“Later, as a result of further enquiries in the vicinity of the shops where this took place, two more suspects were identified and a car seized,” the statement added.

The detainees will be taken to the Judicial Court of Guimarães for the first interrogation and application of bail conditions.

LISBON, Sept. 25, 2019 (Lusa) – Three foreign nationals and one Portuguese were arrested at Lisbon airport on suspicion of cocaine trafficking, the Judiciary Police announced today.

According to PJ’s National Anti-Drug Trafficking Unit (UNCTE), the arrests occurred in recent days, following information gathered in an investigation that determined that “two of the detainees were to land at Lisbon Airport from a South American country, carrying a high amount of cocaine with them in suitcases “.

“When those suspects were intercepted, PJ found that they were carrying a high amount of cocaine that was seized and that, if it reached illicit distribution circuits, would be sufficient for the composition of at least 132,500 individual doses,” PJ said in a statement.

Later due diligence made it possible to locate and detain in Lisbon two other suspects who, according to the evidence gathered, were the addressees of the seized drug.

The detainees, three men and one woman, aged between 20 and 51, were subjected to the first judicial interrogation to enforce coercive measures.

The investigation is carried out by UNCTE PJ.

The Secretary of State for Civil Protection has resigned on personal grounds after being made a defendant in the investigation into the purchase of smoke-free collars.

The Minister of Home Affairs accepted Artur Neves’ resignation and passed the decision to the Prime Minister, the ministry said in a statement.

Also The president of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, Mourato Nunes,  has been made a defendant, denying that he was involved in the case of smoke collars, in which he is accused.

In a note sent to the media sent by ANEPC, the Lieutenant General confirms, however, that on Wednesday morning he was made a defendant. The former GNR Gerneral Commander adds that he will continue to “actively collaborate with justice”, but will nevertheless “exercise all the rights that the said [defendant] statute confers on him, in his defence and in order to establish the truth”

The Ministry of Internal Administration, the Secretary of State for Civil Protection and the headquarters of the National Emergency Authority for Civil Protection (ANPC) were searched on 18^th September by the National Anti-Corruption Unit (UNCC) of the Judicial Police, due to the purchase of 70 thousand flammable smoke collars, under the “Safe Village” program. José Artur Neves was made a defendant in this case.

In a note sent to the newsrooms by the Prime Minister’s office, it can be read that António Costa accepted the resignation request of the Secretary of State for Civil Protection. “On this occasion I would like to thank Artur Neves for the decisive contribution to the way in which the changes in Civil Protection operations took place and were implemented, especially in the implementation of the reform of the Integrated Rural Fire Management System, and his personal commitment was decisive in the results”.

According to the authorities, there are indications of negotiations between suppliers of prevention and sensitization material – such as the smoke collars, denounced by JN – and senior officials of Civil Protection and the State. The Secretary of State for Civil Protection, José Artur Neves, resigned after being searched at home and in his office, and was accused. It will not be the only one.

At stake are the Safe Village, Safe People and Automatic Population Notification programs, with subsidy fraud, economic participation in business and corruption suspected.

São Miguel Island – Person identified in connection with the theft of gold items from a resident

Police from the Ponta Delgada Police Division Criminal Investigation Squad, as part of several investigations that began on September 3, conducted house searches on September 11, resulting in the identification and constitution as a defendant, a woman of 38 years old.

She is suspected of having committed a theft crime occurring inside the residence where she was serving as a maid and carer.

From the investigations carried out, it was possible to find evidence that indicates the person is the perpetrator of the crime. The PSP seized almost all the stolen gold articles inside the house, which were valued at about 10,000 euros.

 

SOME 7000 OPERATIVES DEALT WITH MAJOR FIRES ON 13^th & 14^TH SEPTEMBER

The Minister of Internal Affairs expressed, on Tuesday, recognition for the dedication and responsiveness of Civil Protection professionals who, in the first 15 days of the month, faced more than 2000 rural fires, some large.

Speaking to journalists at the end of an extended meeting of members of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) in Carnaxide, Eduardo Cabrita stated that in the first 15 days of September there were 2,158 rural fires, which contributed to 10,000 hectares of burned land.

“Looking at the balance of the year, so far we have encouraging results,” said the minister, noting that there is a 41% reduction in the number of occurrences compared to the average of the last 10 years, while between January 1 and September 16 this year there is 63% burned area, below the average of the last decade.

Despite these results, which he described as “encouraging”, Eduardo Cabrita assured that the surveillance (of the GNR, with the help of the armed forces) and the prepositioning of the resources will continue in the coming days, although the risk levels are lower but with caution because of “some atmospheric uncertainties”.

The minister welcomed the fact that in the “toughest 15 days of this year” in the field of preventing and combating rural fires, civil protection professionals responded as they did and expressed their solidarity with those who were affected by the events, in which a pilot was killed and three dozen injured, especially among firefighters.

Of the four operatives who suffered serious injuries, they are all safe from danger, said Eduardo Cabrita.

In the retrospective of the last 15 days, the minister highlighted three large fires – Sertã, Miranda do Corvo and Valpaços -, which involved in some cases close to a thousand operational.

According to Eduardo Cabrita, the peak of firefighting intervention occurred from Friday to Saturday, with the intervention of 7000 operatives in 25 fires of significant dimensions.

Overcoming the difficulties, the minister also underlined the sensitization work with the populations and the true “safety culture” that was created to avoid risky behaviour in a particularly severe climate on the continent.

According to Eduardo Cabrita, it is now time to continue the work in various areas to protect the forest and to begin “preparing for the future summer”

Safe Communities Portugal has become one of only a handful of organisations in Portugal to be recognized as a Voluntary Civil Protection Organisation (ODVC) in accordance with the provisions of in the Civil Protection Basic Law.

The recognition, recently announced by the ANEPC, covers the areas of “communication, information and facilitating training to the population concerning the prevention of collective risks and the minimization of the consequences arising from the occurrence of serious accidents or catastrophes by raising awareness of self-protection matters. In addition: to provide cooperation in relief and assistance to people, integrated in the global response effort in the event of a serious accident or catastrophe”.

This follows the partnership formed between the ANEPC and SCP in the form of a collaboration protocol at the end of 2015, and the declaration of the association as an “Utilidade Pública” in the area of civil protection and crime prevention by the Council of Ministers in 2018.

David Thomas President of SCP stated that our official recognition as an ODVC, reflects the considerable work we have undertaken with various government entities particular in the area of rural fire prevention and self- protection with around 15 projects over the last 18 months, to benefit the foreign community and tourists. We have established the foundation stones as an organisation that provides a reliable and professional service to the community. This recognition represents the trust that government has in our work and the importance that government attaches to the safety of all communities both residents and visitors.

Secretary of State for Tourism, Ana Mendes Godinho, welcomed the news stating “ I am very pleased that Safe Communities Portugal has been awarded the status of “Civil Protection Volunteer Organisation” (one of only nine in Portugal), as it reflects their hard work, availability and commitment, and is well deserved. This will further enable SCP to keep up their good work to the benefit of the public, tourists and foreigners living in Portugal.”

She added “Safe Communities has been working very closely with Tourism stakeholders and the Portuguese Government over the last three years. This close collaboration has focused on the importance of ensuring the safety of tourists who visit Portugal and those who live here. It is important that we do everything we can to ensure visitors know what preventive and self-protection steps to take in case of emergency. Safe Communities Portugal has been a key player in helping to improve awareness and communication concerning safety, assuring all the important information is translated into English and other languages”.

National Director Emergency Planning ANEPC José Oliveira stated that “SCP has been developing a constant activity in the area of ​​awareness and risk communication, aimed at the foreign language community residing and visiting Portugal.

He added “SCP has been instrumental in making relevant information available on its website as well as in translating self-protection leaflets related to rural fires into several languages. It has also boosted the participation of the foreign community resident in Portugal to participate in workshops and awareness raising actions, as was the case of the Monchique workshop in 2018, with the collaboration of two international experts in the field of resilience of rural communities”.

Further the “ANEPC recognizes the importance of SCP in the constant communication and translation of Portuguese to different languages, through its channels, with emphasis on social networks, notices to the population, as well as the legislation in the area of ​​natural and technological risks, complementing. This Authority’s risk communication activity is very effective for the foreign community resident or visiting Portugal, a country for which tourism has a strong weight in its economy”.

David Thomas concluded that to obtain this recognition meant that we had to undertake a training program, illustrate our track record of past activities and our business plan for the future, as well as meeting the various administrative and legal requirements. Inevitably a great deal of work involved, but I believe the outcome is worth it”. We thank everyone for their support.

Other associations similarly recognized at the: Amateur Aerospace Observatory Association (AMSAT-CT); Protection and Relief Association (APROSOC); Civil Protection Volunteer Corps (CVPC); Protective and Relief Operations Intervention Corps (CIOPS); – International Catastrophe Paramedics (PCI); and the Association of Civil Protection Volunteers (PROAGIR) and the Civil Protection Volunteer Association (SARTEAM).

 

From the beginning of the year until 11^th September, the Republican National Guard (GNR) detained 51 people for setting fires in forest areas, having recorded 5269 forest fire crimes in the same period.

In a report the GNR notes that from the beginning of the year until 11 September 2019 it registered 5269 crimes, identified 482 people and detained 51 others for the forest fire crime, under article 274 of Criminal Penal Code. The penalty for forest fire crime can range from one to twelve years in prison or a fine .

The number of arrests decreased considerably compared to the same period last year. From January until August 2018, according to a statement released by the GNR website, 81 people were detained for fires. “Since January 1 of this year, , the GNR has carried out more than 30,000 patrols, which resulted in the identification of 708 suspects and the arrest of 51 arsonists,” reads the note.

Still, in recent days, there have been several cases. In Grândola, Setúbal district, a 41-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were arrested for the forest fire crime that put a dwelling at risk. Also in Cinfães, Viseu district, a 41-year-old woman was arrested for starting a fire while clearing a plot of land; and in Arronches, Portalegre district, GNR detained  a 67-year-old man who set fire to a grazing area while riding a bicycle, to whom the preventive detention coercion measure was applied.

The GNR also identified a 17-year-old suspect of a forest fire crime in Resende, Viseu district, and an 81-year-old man who caused a fire by using fire to destroy a wasp nest, also in Viseu. Last week, three minors, all 13 yeaRS of age, were indetified in connection in respect of two forest fires that resulted in a total burned area of ​​about 1.5 hectares of forest patch belonging to the Sintra Natural Park.

Given the weather forecast for the coming days, which point to a significant increase in the risk of forest fire, the Minister of Home Affairs and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development today (12th September) signed the Order determining the Alert Situation Statement for the period. between 00:01 hrs on 13 September and 23:59 on 14 September 2019 for the whole of mainland Portugal.

The Alert Status Statement results from the following factors:

• The Technical-Operational Communiqué of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) that determines, until September 14, 2019, the issue of the Red Level Special Alert State of the Special Rural Firefighting Device (DECIR) in the districts of Setúbal, Lisbon, Santarém, Portalegre, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Guarda, Viseu, Vila Real and Bragança;
• ANEPC’s technical-operational communiqué determining the maintenance of the Orange Level Special Alert Status for the remaining districts of mainland Portugal;
• The need to adopt preventive and special measures of reaction to the risk of fire.

Exceptional measures under the Alert Situation are:

• Increased readiness and operational response by GNR and PSP, with reinforcement of means for surveillance, surveillance, behaviour deterrent patrols and general support for protective and distress operations that may be triggered, considering – for this purpose, the interruption of vacation leave and / or suspension of breaks and rest periods is authorized;
• Increased readiness and mobilization of emergency medical, public health and psychosocial support teams, by the competent health and social security entities, through their respective Guardianships;
• Permanent mobilization of Forest Sapper teams;
• Permanent mobilization of the National Corps of Forest Agents (CNAF) and the Nature Watchers that are part of the fire prevention and fighting device, by the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, I. P., through their respective Guardianships;
• Increased readiness of response teams of entities with special duty of cooperation in the areas of communications (fixed and mobile network operators) and energy (transport and distribution);
• Prohibition of access, circulation and permanence within the forest spaces, previously defined in the Municipal Forest Fire Protection Plans (PMDFCI), as well as in the forest paths, rural paths and other paths through them;
• Prohibition of burning and burning of operating surplus;
• Total ban on the use of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices, regardless of their form of combustion, as well as the suspension of authorizations issued in districts where the Red Level Special Alert Status has been declared by the ANEPC;
• Public service waiver of Public Administration workers who perform cumulatively the duties of volunteer firefighter, pursuant to the provisions of article 26-A of Decree-Law No. 241/2007, of 21 June, except those who perform public service functions to provide health care in emergency situations, namely prehospital emergency technicians (TEPH) and nurses from INEM – National Institute of Medical Emergency, IP and security forces;
• Exemption from the service of private sector workers who cumulatively perform the duties of volunteer firefighter, in districts in which the Red Level Special Alert State has been declared by ANEPC, pursuant to article 26 of Decree-Law no. 241/2007, of June 21;
• Use of available means provided for in the National Plan and District Civil Protection Emergency Plans;
• Prohibition of carrying out work in forest spaces, except those associated with rural firefighting situations, with the use of blade or metal disc shovels, cutters, shredders and machines with blade or front shovel.

The Order determines to ANEPC the issuance of a Population Warning about the danger of rural fires and also provides the request to the Air Force, through the Ministry of National Defence, the availability of air resources to be operational, if necessary, in the Air Centres to be determined by ANEPC.

The Alert Situation Statement also determines the immediate activation of the territorially competent institutional coordination structures (National Operational Coordination Centre and District Operational Coordination Centres).

Lisbon, September 12, 2019

From September 4th until midnight yesterday, September 10th, under the Alert Status operation, the GNR, through SEPNA, criminal investigation units, cavalry units and GIPS, strengthened surveillance, and ground patrolling throughout the mainland to help prevent forest fires.

In addition, the GNR, using a Portuguese Air Force (FAP) helicopter, carried out air patrols, focusing on districts that are in Special Alert State, with very high and maximum fire risk.

In addition to its normal FAP (pilot and mechanic) garrison, the helicopter was carrying two GNR military personnel, who were constantly observing the forest areas, in order to detect activities that violated the stated declaration, or that constitute suspicious criminal behaviour..

During the air patrol carried out yesterday, September 10, near Rio Maior, the air surveillance detected an illegal forestry activity, using machinery, an activity that is prohibited because the Alert Situation in place.

The military, who were in the helicopter, transmitted the GPS coordinates to the ground patrol, which allowed them to intercept and identify two men, 22 and 56 years old, employees of a forestry company, which operated two wood loading and hauling machines. As a result the men immediately ceased work.

The facts were sent to the Judicial Court of Santarém for further action

As the entity responsible for coordinating national forest surveillance patrols during the Warning Status period, GNR coordinated a total of 5 780 patrols, of which 3,846 were carried out by GNR themselves. A total of 7 836 military were involved travelling more than 222,000 kms. During this period, the GNR still identified 24 individuals and detained 4 others, due to the suspicion of the crime of forest fires.

Lisbon, 09 Sep 2019 (Lusa) – The Judicial Police (PJ) has dismantled one of Europe’s largest counterfeit money chains, in an operation in which five people were arrested and more than 1,800 counterfeit 50 and 10 euro bank notes were seized.

In a statement, PJ explains that, through the National Anti-Corruption Unit and with the collaboration of EUROPOL, it dismantled the counterfeit  network, marketed through the so-called ‘darknet’, in an operation involving eight home and non-domestic searches.

In the “Deep Money” operation 1,833 counterfeit banknotes (1,290 banknotes of 50 € and 543 of 10 €), with a total of  €69,930 euros, as well as “various objects related to the production of banknotes, namely computers, printers, paper with security filament incorporation, holograms and self-adhesive holographic bands, ultraviolet inks and ink cartridges ”.

Five people, three men and two women, aged 26 to 63, were arrested for crimes of counterfeiting and criminal association. The leader of the criminal group was a Portuguese resident of Colombia, who was detained under an International Arrest Warrant.

The five detainees were in custody.

“This criminal network had been operating since at least the beginning of 2017 and was responsible for the production of over 26,000 notes, mostly from € 50,” says PJ.

This operation included other units of the Judicial Police, namely the National Unit to Combat Cybercrime and Technological Crime and the Scientific Police Laboratory.

Counterfeit banknotes were seized almost everywhere in Europe, with a higher incidence in France, Germany, Spain and Portugal, reaching a value of over €1.3 million.

“Counterfeit notes were advertised in one of darknet’s main markets, with orders received either through private messages on that market or through encrypted chat platforms,” PJ said in the statement, adding that after payment, as a rule, made through virtual currency, “the notes were sent by post from Portugal, where they were being produced”.

“The high quality of the notes produced by this criminal network was recognized by all buyers, based on the use of security paper incorporating security filament, holograms and self-adhesive holographic bands, ultraviolet inks, watermark and sweet cut,” he explains. .

The alleged leader of this criminal group, a Portuguese citizen residing in Colombia since mid-2018 and with a history of various crimes, was arrested there under an International Arrest Warrant issued by the Portuguese authorities following close cooperation with the Colombian authorities. .

“In recent days, the Colombian authorities have expelled them from the country, having been detained by the Judiciary Police, already in the national territory,” adds the PJ.

PJ says it will provide further clarification on the 11:30 operation at the Judiciary Police headquarters in Lisbon.