A major operation, involving PJ criminal police, is underway in Beja this morning, targeting immigrant slavery – with multiple arrest warrants issued for members of the local GNR police.
According to reports, the PJ is armed with a number of arrest warrants for the exploitation, extortion and mistreatment of immigrants in the Alentejo – half of them in the names of Beja GNR agents.
The operation is receiving logistical support from the Air Force, with Beja airbase serving as the ‘command centre’.
SIC reports that 10 GNR agents, and one from the PSP (public security police) have already been arrested.
In a statement, the PJ has said that its national anti-terrorism unit, has exercised 50 search warrants and 17 arrest warrants, in Beja, Portalegre, Figueira da Foz and Porto.
The early morning swoop is said to be focused on investigating crimes of ‘aiding illegal immigration, falsification, fiscal fraud and money-laundering’.
“At issue is a criminal organisation that controlled hundreds of foreign workers, the majority in an irregular situation in Portugal”, says the PJ statement, adding that the organisation took advantage of the vulnerability of the immigrants to “through temporary work agencies” exploit them “charging for accommodation, food and keeping them under duress via threats, with several incidents of physical assault”.
The various police agents arrested today are suspected of having “facilitated the action of the criminal group.
“Over several months, the PJ carried out numerous investigative procedures that enabled it to obtain evidence and incriminating elements, as well as to outline the general framework of the operation of this violent, mafia-style group,” adds the PJ statement
Those arrested will now be brought before the Public Prosecutor’s Office before any decision is made on bail.
Source material: SIC Notícias
