Quote from Alex bobby on May 31, 2025, 5:46 AM

Police Dismantle Major Drug Trafficking Ring in Portugal’s Alentejo Region

In a sweeping operation hailed as one of the most significant drug busts in recent years, Portuguese authorities have successfully dismantled a major drug trafficking ring operating throughout central Alentejo. The Public Security Police (PSP) of Évora led the months-long investigation, which culminated in a coordinated crackdown across multiple regions, including Montemor-o-Novo, Lisbon, Samora Correia, and the Santarém District.

The operation, which had been in motion for over a year and a half, came to a head following the arrest of a suspect in Évora. This initial breakthrough led to an extensive and well-coordinated series of 29 search warrants executed across various municipalities. Ultimately, the operation resulted in the arrest of 13 individuals — nine men and four women — aged between 19 and 45.

Six of the suspects remain in custody as authorities continue to build their case against what they describe as a “sophisticated and far-reaching criminal enterprise.” PSP sub-commissioner Nuno Albardeiro, speaking at a press conference on Friday, emphasised the significance of the bust. “This is one of the largest seizures in recent years, not just for the PSP, but for the entire Alentejo region,” he said.

A Multiregional Operation

While the investigation was centred in Évora, the PSP worked in close collaboration with regional units to carry out simultaneous searches across the central and southern areas of Portugal. Locations included Santarém District — a region often used as a transit corridor — as well as urban centres like Lisbon, where members of the network were reportedly active in both distribution and recruitment.

Authorities say the criminal operation was well-organised, with clear hierarchies and assigned roles ranging from suppliers and street-level dealers to coordinators who managed logistics and laundered proceeds.

The PSP's operation was designed to hit the group’s infrastructure on all fronts — logistics, distribution, storage, and finances — making it difficult for any remnants of the network to continue operating.

Seizure Details

The scale of the seizures underscores the sophistication and capacity of the network. Police confiscated:

• 135,695 individual doses of hashish
• 697 doses of cocaine
• 85 ecstasy pills
• Two canisters of nitrous oxide, commonly used as a recreational inhalant
• €59,970 in cash
• Five high-powered vehicles and a motorcycle, believed to be used in the transportation of drugs
• Two firearms: a 6.35mm pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun

The combination of large drug quantities, weapons, and significant amounts of cash paints a picture of a well-financed and potentially violent organisation. Investigators are now looking into whether the firearms were intended for protection or potential acts of intimidation and enforcement within the illicit network.

Impact on the Region

For the Alentejo region, which is more often associated with agriculture and tourism than organised crime, this drug bust represents a turning point. Authorities believe the group’s reach extended beyond local street-level sales to regional distribution channels that may have even connected to international suppliers.

Sub-commissioner Albardeiro pointed out that the group’s operations had been expanding, with signs of increasing sophistication and reach. “It is clear that this was not a small-time operation. The logistics, the coordination, the volume of drugs and money — all indicate a network with ambition and structure,” he said.

The PSP's operation not only disrupted a major criminal syndicate but also sent a strong message that organised crime will not be allowed to gain a foothold in the region.

Public Safety and Ongoing Investigations

As of now, six of the thirteen arrested individuals remain in pre-trial detention. Authorities are working to identify and locate any additional accomplices, including possible financiers or external contacts.

The seized evidence is expected to form the backbone of a broader investigation, possibly leading to further arrests and even international collaboration if links to foreign drug suppliers are confirmed.

Local officials and residents have welcomed the PSP’s efforts, praising the thoroughness and timing of the operation. Many expressed relief that such a dangerous and large-scale network was taken off the streets before further damage could be done to their communities.

Conclusion

The bust of this major drug trafficking ring represents a decisive victory for law enforcement in Portugal. It’s a testament to the persistence and coordination of the PSP, whose year-and-a-half-long investigation prevented thousands of doses of narcotics from reaching the streets.

As Portugal continues to grapple with the challenges posed by drug trafficking, this operation stands as a reminder that even in quieter regions like Alentejo, the threat of organised crime is very real — but so is the resolve of those working to stop it. The investigation may not be over, but for now, one of the country’s most significant criminal enterprises has been dealt a serious blow.