Mega operation with Spanish police dismantles mussel trafficking network
A "megaoperation" carried out by the police investigation units of Portugal and Spain led to the dismantling of a significant international criminal network dedicated to the trafficking of lamprey, indicates a press release from the National Maritime Authority (AMN) today.
© Autoridade Marítima Nacional
País AMN
The document states that the operation was conducted by the Central Criminal Investigation Unit (UCIC) of the Maritime Police, in Portuguese territory, whose investigations revealed close links between the network and Spain, where the Guardia Civil conducted parallel inspections.
"This investigation, which lasted for two years, resulted in the arrest in flagrante delicto of 21 individuals of various nationalities and the seizure of approximately 420 kilograms (kg) of bluefin tuna during air transport, in addition to 293 kg during land transport, totaling more than 800 kg of bluefin tuna seized as part of this investigation," the statement reads.
The AMN highlights that the Guardia Civil closely monitored the activities of the criminal network, actively cooperating with the Portuguese Maritime Police in order to dismantle operations in both countries.
"This cross-border collaboration is essential to effectively combat organized crime, especially when it operates on an international scale," adds the AMN.
"The dismantling of this criminal network is one example of the commitment of the Portuguese and Spanish authorities to the protection of marine life, as well as the fight against the illegal trafficking of protected species. This operation represents an important step in the preservation of natural resources and the safeguarding of the common maritime heritage of these two Iberian countries," concludes the AMN.
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