Hundreds of inspectors from the PolĂcia Judiciária (PJ), alongside several judges and prosecutors, conducted nationwide searches this Tuesday in a large-scale operation against drug trafficking. Four arrests have been made so far.
The raids, as reported by RTP, target medicinal cannabis production companies and are taking place from north to south of the country, with a focus on Fundão, Évora, Bragança, and Alto Minho.
The PJ suspects that part of the cannabis was adulterated with higher levels of THC and diverted for narcotics trafficking. The investigation, which began in 2022, revealed that the criminal organization exploited vulnerabilities in the medicinal cannabis export control system in Portugal. They allegedly acquired pharmaceutical companies, created licensed wholesale trading firms for medicinal cannabis, and then shipped thousands of kilograms of cannabis to illicit markets using fake documentation and certificates.
In addition to the 64 search and seizure warrants executed across Portugal and Madeira, six more were carried out in Spain, one in Bulgaria, and another in Cyprus. The operation, named "Erva Daninha" (Weed), involved around 300 inspectors, 48 experts, and 24 security personnel from the PJ, six Public Prosecutors, and three judges.
The PJ's statement highlighted that the criminal group was known for introducing large quantities of cannabis into various European and African markets. The investigation continues as authorities work to dismantle the illegal activities that have been ongoing for months.
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