Europol has supported an international investigation led by France and Portugal, called ‘Operation Bouquet’, aimed to dismantle an international criminal network involved in facilitating irregular migration within the EU. The operation has led to the arrest of 69 individuals, nine of whom are key figures of the criminal network.
The smugglers were being investigated for providing transport for irregular migrants (of Hindustani origin) between Lisbon, Paris and the Belgian border, using their own vehicles and travelling along the main motorways to avoid detection. In Portugal, law enforcement authorities also investigated marriages of convenience between migrants and Portuguese women.
On the night of 26 September 2015, the French Brigade Mobile de Recherche (BMR) from Hendaye organised an operation on the toll barrier of Biarritz La Négresse. As a result, five vehicles belonging to the crime group and transporting irregular migrants were intercepted. Six smugglers were arrested, and 30 migrants (Hindustani nationals) apprehended.
In addition, the BMR searched two of the main suspects’ houses. Both individuals were found and arrested. Moreover, 30 irregular migrants were discovered inside one of the houses.
- Madeira – GNR Seize 580 litres of illegal alcoholic beverages
- Man sentenced to a year and a half in prison for stealing six euros
- Funchal – Streets closed in Funchal due to a suspicious object
- IPMA WEATHER WARNING HIGH SEAS, WINDS and HEAVY RAIN SHOWERS
- New Emergency Card Intends to improve communication between foreigners, authorities and medical emergency teams.
- PSP investigates dock assaults
- PSP Lisbon District Metropolitan Police neutralize drug trafficking group
- Operation “Lusar”
- Conclusion of complex investigation of crimes of falsification or counterfeiting of documents, qualified fraud and money laundering
- Journalists accused of illegally divulging parts of Operation Marquis
- PJ holds seven suspects of scams and falsification of documents
- GNR Operation “Shadowgame” gambling operation results in the arrest of 20 people
- Operation Albare – Eight persons arrested – Money laundering 40 million and other crimes
- Change of direction in the way the country addresses the rural fires
- President of Tourism of the North arrested on suspicion of corruption
