Major Corruption Scandal Uncovered in Portugal's Aerial Firefighting Contracts

The Judicial Police (PJ) has launched a sweeping investigation into alleged corruption involving the hiring of aerial means for rural firefighting, leading to 12 suspects being named. Dubbed Operation "Control Tower," the probe has seen raids at the Air Force Headquarters, the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), and several aerial means companies.

Key developments include:

• 28 search and seizure warrants executed across Lisbon, Beja, Faro, Castelo Branco, Porto, and Bragança.
• Companies like Helibravo, Heliportugal, HTA Helicópteros, and Gesticopter are under scrutiny for allegedly forming a cartel to inflate prices and divide profits in public tenders worth around 100 million euros.
• The suspects face charges including active and passive corruption, qualified fraud, abuse of power, influence trafficking, criminal association, and qualified tax fraud.

Notably, one of the companies, Gesticopter, has ties to relatives of Minister Leitão Amaro, though he denies any involvement with helicopter companies. The operation involved 140 inspectors and 45 forensic experts, alongside seven Public Ministry magistrates.

The Air Force and ANAC have confirmed their cooperation with the investigation, with ANAC clarifying it has no direct role in selecting operators for firefighting contracts but is providing full support to judicial authorities.

This scandal sheds light on the complex relationships between commercial entities and public contracts, raising serious questions about transparency and accountability in Portugal's fight against wildfires.