During a statement at the Ministry of National Defense, Nuno Melo commended the “extraordinary work of the Judiciary Police, alongside the Portuguese Navy and the Air Force,” which led to the seizure of 6.5 tons of cocaine.
“In this context, I must draw attention to the importance of the Armed Forces in times of peace,” he noted.
According to the minister, “this operation demonstrates the excellence of the Judiciary Police in coordinating the entire investigation leading to this seizure, and also the admirable and virtuous cooperation with the Armed Forces.”
“It was through this collaborative effort that the operation was successfully carried out, which speaks for itself both in numbers and through the unprecedented nature of the devices used,” he added.
Nuno Melo emphasized that the Portuguese should recognize that “in times of peace, the Armed Forces are not confined to barracks” but are engaged in various activities, including “combating highly sophisticated crime using means not solely designed for war.”
Expressing “great appreciation” for the leaders of the Judiciary Police, Navy, and Air Force, the minister asserted that this operation “demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in investigation and crime fighting, as well as internal cooperation.”
“This is a success with an international dimension, showcased through Portugal,” he praised.
For the minister, “National Defense has been brought to the forefront of political concerns.”
“Today, in fact, Diário de Notícias presents a very interesting graphic that helps to understand how, in recent years, there has been almost constant disinvestment in the Armed Forces, resulting in a significant gap between investment forecasts and what was actually implemented in the Armed Forces,” he mentioned.
Nuno Melo noted that in 2024 “this cycle was radically reversed,” citing this investment as “one of the major achievements of governance over the past 11 months.”
The Judiciary Police described Operation Nautilus as “a major blow to a criminal organization,” resulting in the seizure of seven tons of drugs and the arrest of five suspects aboard a submarine, 500 miles off the Azores.
The suspects, hailing from three different nationalities (Brazil, Colombia, and Spain), are expected to appear before a criminal investigating judge in Lisbon on Wednesday, stated Luís Neves, the national director of the Judiciary Police, during a press conference with the leaders of the various forces involved, including Spain’s Guardia Civil.
