Police bust major drug trafficking ring in Portugal, seizing cash and weapons

The crackdown began with an arrest in Évora and escalated with 29 coordinated search warrants executed across the region, including the Santarém District.

A major drug trafficking network operating across central Alentejo has been busted by the Public Security Police (PSP) of Évora, following a sweeping operation that extended to Montemor-o-Novo, Lisbon and Samora Correia.The year-and-a-half investigation culminated in the arrest of 13 suspects - nine men and four women aged between 19 and 45. Six remain in custody.Authorities seized an estimated 135,695 doses of hashish, 697 doses of cocaine and 85 of ecstasy. Police also confiscated nearly €60,000 in cash, five high-powered vehicles, a motorcycle, two nitrous oxide canisters, and two firearms - a 6.35mm pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun.“This is one of the largest seizures in recent years, not just for the PSP, but for the entire Alentejo region,” PSP sub-commissioner Nuno Albardeiro told a press conference on Friday.The crackdown began with an arrest in Évora and escalated with 29 coordinated search warrants executed across the region, including the Santarém District.PSP officials hailed the operation as a decisive strike against a sophisticated and far-reaching criminal enterprise.