Network “has brought several thousand people to Europe/ the UK/ USA”
Portugal’s PJ police have taken part in an international operation that has succeeded in dismantling yet another criminal network involving human trafficking and money laundering.
According to reports, a total of 26 people have been detained in what was dubbed “Operation Colombo”, led by France, with the support of Europol/ PJ’s national UNC3T unit (for the combating of cybercrime and technological crime).
Authorities “suspect that, since 2022, the network has brought several thousand people to Europe, the United Kingdom and North American countries, providing them with plane tickets, false documents and other resources to facilitate their illegal travel”.
According to the PJ, profits are estimated at several hundred million euros.
In addition to the arrests, several properties (seven houses/ four commercial premises) worth approximately €2.5 million, 25 bank accounts with more than €150,000, €121,000 in cryptocurrencies and six luxury vehicles, €110,000, were seized during the operation.
Gold and jewelry valued at more than €4.5 million, €1,700 in restaurant vouchers, machinery for the production of jewelry with an estimated value of half a million euros and €320,000 euros in cash were also seized.
Following an investigation into fraud and swindling, the PJ managed to identify four accounts that were referenced by the French authorities within the scope of Operation “Colombo”, having also seized hundreds of thousands of euros.
The PJ also found that those responsible for setting up the companies and opening the accounts travelled to Portugal only to set up a money laundering network (creating companies, opening bank accounts, receiving and dissipating funds originating from various illicit activities), having immediately left Portugal.
In addition to Portugal, the investigation also had the support of authorities in Luxembourg and the United Kingdom, as well as other EU and non-EU countries.
LUSA
