Four people were arrested today in an operation being carried out by the Maritime Police , at national level, to combat criminal networks associated with the illegal capture, trade and international trafficking of shellfish, in which 243 immigrants were identified.
“This operation takes place in the context of more than three dozen search warrants, arrest warrants and seizure warrants, and the proceedings will unfold throughout the day,” and four people have already been arrested, the National Maritime Authority (AMN) said, without giving details.
In a statement, the AMN indicated that the “mega operation” to combat criminal networks associated with the illegal capture, trade and international trafficking of shellfish is being conducted by the Central Criminal Investigation Unit (UCIC) of the Maritime Police and takes place “at the national level”.
“In this operation, which also includes human labor exploitation, 161 Maritime Police officers are engaged on the ground, accompanied by 22 inspectors from the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), inspectors from the Tax Authority and about a hundred PSP operatives,” said the Maritime Authority.
As part of the operational analysis, the operation also has the collaboration of the Information and Security Service (SIS).
So far, “the SEF has identified 243 immigrants, having notified nine foreign citizens to appear at the SEF, in order to clarify their situation in national territory,” said the AMN.
The Lusa news agency tried unsuccessfully to contact the AMN for further clarification on this operation.
This morning, a source from the SEF said that a mega operation to combat human trafficking led by the Maritime Police was taking place since 08:00 in the area of Samouco, in Alcochete, Setúbal district.
The source of the SEF told Lusa, at the time, that there were 20 elements of the service in the operation.