Thirteen of the 14 defendants arrested on Thursday 2nd July in an investigation involving private security firms are in custody, according to informed lawyers for the defendants outside the Criminal Court Center (TCIC).

In addition to these 13 defendants who are in custody, a former PSP agent was released, but was banned from contact with elements of SPDE company responsible for security at Dragon Stadium in Porto, and the use of weapons. According to Attorney General’s Office, in Operation Phoenix , in charge of the Central Research Department and Prosecution (DCIAP), those arrested are suspected of criminal association, illegal exercise of private security activity in prohibited weapon detention, aggravated extortion, coercion and serious assualt.

In addition to those arrested on Thursday, searches were conducted in several areas of the country, including Lisbon, Porto, Amarante, Lamego, Braga, Vila Real, Lousada.  Facilities at FC Porto and the residence of the vice-president of Antero Henrique club were searched because of its links with a security company that provides services in FC Porto.

In a statement, the PSP also indicated that 40 weapons, about 121 thousand euros, 10 vehicles and ammunition of various calibres, as well as documentation has been seized.