Operation Black Market investigates “alleged criminal project”
Thirteen people, two of them prison guards, have been arrested as part of a police operation in seven prisons today. At issue are suspicions of offences of active and passive corruption, drug trafficking, trafficking in prohibited substances and methods, falsifying documents and money laundering, the PJ has said.
SIC Notícias reports that it “knows that as part of the ‘Black Market’ operation, searches are being carried out in seven prisons, namely in the PJ Prison Zone, Caxias, Carregueira, Linhó, Sintra, Funchal and Lisbon.
“As of 10.50am, 13 people had been arrested, including two prison guards. They are suspected of committing the offences of active and passive corruption, drug trafficking, trafficking in prohibited substances and methods, falsifying documents and money laundering”.
The operation targeted “an alleged criminal project carried out, among others, by prison guards who facilitate the entry of illicit substances into prisons in exchange for a financial advantage,” the PJ explains.
Prison services have confirmed the searches, saying they are collaborating with the PJ.
“We’re not surprised”
President of the Prison Guard Union Association Hermínio Barradas has told SIC that he isn’t surprised because “prison services are in full decline, there are no structural measures to restore some normality”.
In one of his many interviews with SIC, Frederico Morais, president of the National Union of Prison Guard Corps, guarantees that guards will not be weakened by this operation, stressing that so far “it is nothing more than suspicion.
“We feel ashamed when these situations happen. That’s why I don’t call them prison guards, but individuals who wear a uniform,” he said, admitting that “there is no reason for guards to be corrupt”, even if the profession is “in decline”.
As part of the ‘Black Market’ operation, launched this morning, 32 search and seizure warrants were served, 14 at homes and 18 others.
The operation was accompanied by an investigating judge, a public prosecutor and around 200 PJ inspectors and experts.
The PJ stresses that investigations are continuing. ND
Source: SIC Notícias/ Lusa
