PJ seizes one and a half tons of cocaine in Fafe

The Judicial Police (PJ) arrested, in Fafe, two men suspected of international drug trafficking and seized one and a half tons of cocaine from Latin America and concealed in three containers with animal skins, it was announced this Wednesday.

In a statement, the PJ states that the investigation was prompted by the activity of a company that imported three containers of skins from Latin America.

Suspecting that the three containers could be used to transport illicit substances, the PJ requested the collaboration of the Tax and Financial Authority (AT) in inspecting the containers at the port of Leixões, in Matosinhos, Porto district.

The suspicions were confirmed, with “a very large quantity” of cocaine packages being detected between the animals’ skins.

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Through constant monitoring of those containers, the PJ accompanied, on Monday, their removal from the port area and their transport to a warehouse in the Fafe area, in the district of Braga, where the two suspects would be detained, as soon as they began the process of unloading and storing the merchandise .

The two men, aged 34 and 42, are associated with the company that imported the merchandise, which is also suspected of involvement in the criminal project.

One of those detained is a former GNR soldier, currently on long-term leave , off active duty.

As part of this operation, the PJ also made several seizures, namely of light vehicles, motorcycles, firearms and other evidence.

The detainees will be brought before the judicial authorities, at the Porto Criminal Investigation Court, for initial questioning and the application of coercive measures.