Large-scale operation began at 5am today
A large-scale operation to combat drug trafficking has been underway since 5 am today in Lisbon, with special focus on the city’s Cruz Vermelha neighbourhood, according to the metropolitan command of the PSP police.
In a statement, the force said that 15 house search warrants are being carried out: eight in the Cruz Vermelha neighbourhood, on the northern edge of Lisbon, six in the neighbouring Alta de Lisboa area and one in nearby Camarate.
“This is an investigation that has been going on for around 11 months and is essentially aimed at cracking down on a criminal structure that sells drugs in the open, through stalls in the Cruz Vermelha neighbourhood,” reads the statement.
The PSP add that the suspects and those targeted in the raids “are responsible for managing these direct-to-consumer stalls, as well as storing and supplying” drugs.
“The operation of these stalls gives residents a strong feeling of insecurity, and some of the plots in this neighbourhood [Cruz Vermelha] are totally controlled by the suspects, thus constraining residents’ freedom.” the PSP said in its statement.
As of 10am, five people are known to have been already arrested.
The operation has the support of various PSP units, including the Lisbon Criminal Investigation, the Intervention Corps and various Rapid Intervention Teams, as well as the national ambulance service, the National Institute for Medical Emergencies (INEM).
LUSA
