The Minister of Internal Administration ordered the Inspectorate-General of Internal Administration (IGAI) to initiate disciplinary proceedings against 11 members of the security forces detained on suspicion of exploiting immigrants in Alentejo during Operation “Safra Justa.”
The suspects, comprising 10 members of the National Republican Guard (GNR) and one Public Security Police (PSP) officer, have been formally charged and were released under terms of identity and residence.
The court justified their release, citing that the wiretaps, which were not transcribed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, could not be used as grounds for coercive measures.
Following their release, the GNR officers returned to their respective posts pending potential actions from the disciplinary processes, which the IGAI had proposed to the Minister of Internal Administration. The decision from Maria Lúcia Amaral may lead to their suspension.
The PSP officer, who was also detained and released, has been on leave since September 2024.
Exploitation of Immigrants in Alentejo
A week ago, the Judiciary Police (PJ) dismantled a criminal organization controlling approximately 500 foreign workers in Alentejo.
During Operation “Safra Justa,” 17 individuals were detained, including 10 GNR members and a PSP officer, on suspicion of immigrant exploitation.
Of the 17 detained, three civilians were placed in preventive custody, while the 10 GNR members and the PSP officer were released under terms of identity and residence. The other three civilians were ordered to make regular appearances and were prohibited from contacting victims, co-defendants, or leaving the country.
The group included four Portuguese and two foreign civilians, all members of the criminal organization.
The two foreign members from South Asia were responsible for recruiting victims of the same origin and coercing and threatening them.
Among the Portuguese, one is identified as the network’s leader, with the others as “his right hands.”
GNR Sergeant Involved Lives with MP Magistrate
Reports indicate that one of the detained GNR sergeants lives with a Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) magistrate.
He was detained at his home in Gondomar, where he resides with the magistrate.
Due to the presence of the magistrate, the law required that the process be personally overseen by a criminal instruction judge.
There were concerns from the Central Criminal Instruction Court about potential information leaks regarding the forthcoming searches, leading to the criminal document being hand-delivered to the Porto Criminal Instruction Court by the criminal investigation body.
The suspect, who is the partner of the magistrate, was stationed in Famalicão and was once the commander of the Beja post.
He is suspected of human trafficking and exerting significant influence over the other nine detained GNR members.
The group threatened and assaulted vulnerable foreign agricultural workers for financial compensations paid by the network’s leader.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office sought preventive detention for the sergeant, who spearheaded the surveillance and private coercion service. However, he was also released.
PSP Officer Alleged Recruitment by Son
Reports suggest that the detainee PSP officer was allegedly recruited by his son for the immigrant trafficking network.
The officer reportedly took over his son’s role in the alleged trafficking network after the son’s arrest by the PJ in September on drug trafficking suspicions. The officer worked at Beja Airport and has been on leave since 2024.
“Repugnant. A Modern Form of Slavery”
Various reactions have emerged following Operation “Safra Justa,” including remarks from Alexandra Leitão. On CNN Portugal, she condemned the criminal network as “repugnant” and a “modern form of slavery.”
“It is a form of slavery happening before our eyes. People are restricted in their freedoms, mistreated, and their documents confiscated. They are victims of abuse. This is modern slavery,” she stated, questioning how society can ignore such events, especially involving security force members in the criminal group.
