Major Corruption Probe Unveils Alleged Cartel in Portugal's Wildfire Air Support Contracts

A sweeping investigation into alleged cartel practices in the contracting of aerial means for wildfire combat has led the Judicial Police (PJ) to conduct searches across Portugal. Dubbed "Operation Control Tower", this operation targets entities involved in the public contracting of helicopters for firefighting efforts, including the Mission Coordination Office for Rural Fires at the Air Force Headquarters and the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC).

Several individuals and legal entities have been named as defendants in a case that may involve corruption, fraud, and criminal association, with contracts worth around 100 million euros under scrutiny. The PJ suspects that companies colluded to manipulate public tenders, imposing special requirements and inflating prices to force the state into direct agreements under pressure as the wildfire season approached.

Key entities searched include Helibravo, HTA Helicópteros, Heliportugal, and Helifly, alongside public institutions. The Air Force has confirmed its full cooperation with the investigation, emphasizing its commitment to supporting the necessary procedures.

The investigation, led by the National Unit to Combat Corruption and involving 140 inspectors, 45 forensic experts, and multiple magistrates, continues to unfold, with the PJ affirming that the probe will proceed to uncover the full extent of the alleged cartel.