A 48-year-old man, suspected to be one of the main leaders of a criminal network involved in the distribution of large quantities of cannabis across various European and African markets, has been arrested in the Netherlands and extradited to Portugal, where he will now face trial.
In a statement, the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) reported that the “investigation began in early 2022, as part of international police cooperation and in close collaboration with the police and judicial authorities of Spain.”
This followed the seizure, initially, of more than a ton of amphetamines, specifically 3-CMC and 3-MMC, and subsequently, over 7 tons of cannabis, in an operation known as Erva Daninha.
The inspectors further explained, “It was possible to determine that a criminal organization, composed of both national and foreign citizens, acquired pharmaceutical companies and infiltrated various licensed wholesale trading companies involved in the import and export of medicinal cannabis.”
Exploiting weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the medicinal cannabis export control and oversight system of the country, the group dispatched several thousand kilograms of cannabis to illicit markets, using falsified documents and certificates.
Upon gathering evidence and in cooperation with the Central Department of Investigation and Penal Action (DCIAP) in Lisbon, numerous investigative actions were carried out within the country and across other European nations to collect proof and halt their illicit activities being conducted over recent months.
The suspect is expected to appear before the judicial authority today for an initial interrogation and imposition of appropriate preventive measures. Meanwhile, the investigation remains ongoing.
