Date in Portugal
Clock Icon
Portugal Pulse: Portugal News / Expats Community / Turorial / Listing

GNR dismantles criminal network: 10 arrested and 1 million euros seized

Ten individuals, aged between 25 and 45, were arrested on October 20 in Aveiro for crimes of theft and drug trafficking.

In a statement released today, the National Republican Guard (GNR) announced that the investigation into the organized network, involved in crimes against property, including thefts from commercial establishments in the districts of Aveiro, Porto, Braga, and Viseu, and drug trafficking, commenced 15 months ago.

During the operation, named Backbone, the officers executed eight arrest warrants and conducted over two dozen searches at properties and businesses. Two of the individuals were caught in the act.

According to the GNR, the main suspect, who was involved in the theft of technological products, tools, clothing, and accessories from commercial surfaces, had nine accomplices. The group operated in an organized and structured manner, also engaging in drug trafficking with links to the Porto district.

The network’s modus operandi was described as “articulated and meticulous” by the GNR, operating regularly in the municipalities of Santa Maria da Feira, Espinho, São João da Madeira, Lourosa, Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, Matosinhos, and Viseu, where they committed frequent thefts and subsequently sold the stolen goods.

The financial damages inflicted on the affected commercial establishments amounted to several tens of thousands of euros annually.

Approximately 1.3 million euros, over 200 doses of drugs including heroin, cocaine, and hashish, three firearms, various technological equipment, electrical appliances, and agricultural equipment were seized.

The detainees will now appear for a preliminary judicial hearing to determine appropriate pre-trial measures.

The GNR operation involved the support of 43 officers from the criminal investigation, territorial, and intervention units from the Aveiro and Porto Commands.

With this operation, the Guard believes it has dismantled a criminal network engaged in repeated theft activities, primarily operating in the northern region of the Aveiro district, as well as in Porto, Braga, and Viseu.

Leave a Reply

Here you can search for anything you want

Everything that is hot also happens in our social networks