GNR police have arrested 18 people and seized more than 3,000 doses of drugs in Albufeira in the last few days, as part of several enforcement operations targeting mainly nightlife venues after a deluge of complaints and bad publicity.
The arrests took place on the so-called ‘strip’ between July 30 and August 4, according to a statement released today.
The actions, set to continue, aim to “prevent and repress illegal behaviour, as part of operational reinforcement aimed at promoting public safety and order”.
Those arrested include 17 men aged between 18 and 56 and a 36-year-old woman.
Ten arrests were made for drug trafficking, two for aggravated assault, two others for compliance with court orders, one for sexual harassment, another for possession of a prohibited weapon, another for resistance and coercion of officials, and yet another for driving under the influence of alcohol.
All those arrested have been made ‘arguidos’/ official suspects.
As part of the same enforcement and policing operations, the GNR seized 1,127 doses of cocaine, 1,076 doses of hashish, 668 doses of marijuana, 259 doses of amphetamines, 160 doses of MDMA, 143 grams of ketamine, a dagger, an extendable baton, a knuckle duster, three mobile phones, two precision scales and €7,025 and £220 in cash.
Security in Albufeira has been in the spotlight for weeks. It is a pattern that has been developing over the years.
Last week, Albufeira city council announced an additional 40 GNR for the town to increase security, and with luck, improve the negative image emerging from so much press exposure.
People congratulating the GNR on their Facebook page certainly hope so. The only concern is that the judge to whom the arrested people are presented “shows some sense”.
Source material: LUSA
