Authorities from the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) reported that 16 suspects were presented last Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday for initial judicial questioning at the Tribunal of Ourique, Beja district. Eight men have since been remanded in custody.
The remaining suspects include five individuals subjected to periodic reporting to the local security forces, and three under identity and residence obligations.
The Territorial Command of Beja, GNR, announced that 13 men and three women were detained in the municipalities of Aljustrel and Alcácer do Sal, suspected of drug trafficking in an investigation ongoing for about two years.
The suspects, aged between 22 and 53, were apprehended last Thursday by the Aljustrel Criminal Investigation Unit for suspected involvement in organized crime, money laundering, and possession of illegal weapons.
The operation, involving 160 military personnel, executed 21 search warrants: 13 residential, five vehicle, and three business searches.
A total of 3,080 doses of heroin, 2,197 doses of hashish, 2,155 doses of cocaine, eight nitrous oxide cylinders, various firearms, and other weapons were confiscated.
The GNR also seized other items including 30 extendable batons, 244 rounds of ammunition, several vehicles, and containers of ammonia.
