Five individuals have been arrested by the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) during the course of Operation Erva Daninha, which took place on Tuesday. This operation successfully dismantled an international criminal group involved in drug trafficking that operated not only in Portugal but also in other countries.
The PJ disclosed that authorities seized 7,300 kilograms of cannabis, €441,000, 12 vehicles, and 11 weapons.
The investigation initially began in early 2022 following the seizure of 1,200 kilograms of amphetamines by Spanish authorities.
Through various diligences, both national and international authorities concluded that the organization exploited gaps in Portugal’s medicinal cannabis export control system. The group acquired pharmaceutical companies and then established licensed commercial enterprises for wholesale trade, import, and export of medicinal cannabis. In reality, it sent several thousand kilograms of cannabis to illegal markets using false documentation and certificates.
