The GNR announced that ten individuals were brought before the Judicial Court of Santa Maria da Feira, resulting in the implementation of the most severe coercive measure for five of them.
Three other detainees were subjected to biweekly appearances at the police station in their area of residence, while the remaining two were placed under the least severe measure of Identity and Residence Term (TIR).
On Wednesday, the GNR reported the arrest of ten individuals aged between 25 and 45 for theft and drug trafficking as part of Operation Backbone.
According to a GNR statement, the investigation, which had been ongoing for about 15 months, targeted an organized network involved in property crimes, particularly thefts from commercial establishments in the districts of Aveiro, Porto, Braga, and Viseu, as well as drug trafficking.
The GNR clarified that two suspects were caught in the act, while the remaining eight were apprehended under arrest warrants.
The operation included 24 searches of homes, a garage, a commercial establishment, and vehicles, resulting in the seizure of 30.4 doses of heroin, 20.95 doses of cocaine, and 193.52 doses of hashish.
The military also seized various technological devices, household appliances, tools, and agricultural equipment, three bladed weapons, and 1,292.89 euros in cash.
“The investigation revealed that, aside from the primary suspect, who targeted technological products, tools, and clothing/accessories in commercial outlets, there was a group of nine accomplices acting in an organized manner, also engaged in drug trafficking with connections to the Porto district,” the GNR stated.
The GNR described the network’s modus operandi as characterized by coordinated and meticulous activities in the municipalities of Santa Maria da Feira, Espinho, São João da Madeira, Lourosa, Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, Matosinhos, and Viseu, where they regularly committed thefts and subsequently disposed of the stolen goods locally.
“The financial losses incurred by the affected commercial establishments amount to several tens of thousands of euros annually,” according to the GNR.
