Detentions occurred in a series of law enforcement operations focusing on crime prevention in popular nightlife areas of Albufeira, conducted between July 30 and August 4, as revealed by the GNR in a statement released today.
These initiatives aim to prevent and curb illegal activities, enhancing operational efforts to bolster public safety and tranquility.
The arrests involved 17 men, aged between 18 and 56 years, and a 36-year-old woman.
Ten arrests were related to drug trafficking, two were for aggravated insult, two were pursuant to judicial warrants, one for sexual harassment, another for possession of a prohibited weapon, additional one for resisting and coercing officials, and another for driving under the influence of alcohol.
All those arrested have been formally charged.
During these enforcement actions, the GNR seized 1,127 doses of cocaine, 1,076 doses of hashish, 668 doses of cannabis, 259 doses of amphetamines, 160 doses of MDMA, 143 grams of ketamine, a dagger, an extendable baton, brass knuckles, three mobile phones, two precision scales, and €7,025 and £220 in cash.
Security in Albufeira has been under scrutiny over recent weeks due to disturbances caused by tourists, although local authorities deny any rise in crime, citing that crime statistics per capita do not account for the population surge in summer when the area’s population can quadruple due to visitors.
Last week, Albufeira’s municipal council announced a reinforcement of 40 GNR officers to enhance security in one of the country’s key tourist destinations, following a request to the government from the local authority.
