PJ carries out searches against corruption at ports for cocaine entering Europe
The Judicial Police (PJ) is carrying out searches in the Lisbon metropolitan area, and in Setúbal, Sines and Leiria this Tuesday on suspicion of corruption in ports aimed at the entry of cocaine from Latin America into Europe, the institution announced.
In a statement, the PJ said that Operation Porthos "investigates the benefit of criminal organizations dedicated to the export of large quantities of cocaine from Latin America".
"These criminal organizations use national seaports as a gateway for narcotic products into the European continent, hidden in various products packed in containers," the institution adds.
The investigation is the result of international police cooperation and involves suspicions of active and passive corruption, drug trafficking and money laundering.
According to CNN Portugal, the PJ suspects that Tax Authority employees at customs were bribed by the Primeiro Comando da Capital, from Brazil, and Colombian cartels to let the drugs pass through.
On the ground, there are 150 inspectors and experts from the PJ and four magistrates from the Public Prosecutor's Office.
jornaldenegocios
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