“The institutions functioned, there are suspicions, the application of legal rules will be impeccable and, if anything went wrong, it will be ascertained,” stated Maria Lúcia Amaral to journalists in parliament, on the sidelines of the commemoration of November 25, 1975.
The Polícia Judiciária (PJ) today announced the “Safra Justa” operation, which dismantled a criminal organization aiding illegal immigration that controlled hundreds of foreign workers, most of whom were in irregular situations in Portugal.
The operation resulted in 17 arrests, including 10 members of the National Republican Guard (GNR), one police officer from the Public Security Police (PSP), and six civilians.
Asked about the detention of the GNR and PSP members, the Minister of Internal Administration only stated that “unfortunately, there is no police force in the world free from these occurrences.”
The Ministry of Internal Administration was questioned about whether an inquiry would be ordered by the General Inspectorate of Internal Administration (IGAI), without response so far.
IGAI stated that it is “gathering information about the reported facts as well as about the respective suspects” in response to Lusa.
In total, according to the PJ, approximately 50 search warrants and 17 arrest warrants were executed, not only in Beja but also in Portalegre, Figueira da Foz, and Porto.
A police source contacted by Lusa indicated that the 10 detained GNR officers belong to the Beja Territorial Command of the GNR.
As for the detained PSP officer, “he was serving at the Beja District Command” but “was not currently working,” revealed a police source.
A National Police Directorate source explained that the officer “has been on leave since September 2024.”
In a statement published on the website of the Central Department of Investigation and Penal Action (DCIAP), the Public Ministry (MP) stated that the 17 detainees are suspected of exploiting the victims’ vulnerability to “gain substantial economic advantages.”
The facts investigated, according to the MP, may constitute the crimes of aiding illegal immigration, human trafficking, active and passive corruption, and abuse of power.
The PJ, also in the statement, mentioned that crimes of aiding illegal immigration, forgery, tax fraud, and money laundering are being investigated.
The detainees are expected to appear before the Central Criminal Investigation Court (TCIC) in Lisbon starting Wednesday.
