Brazil and Portugal undertake operation against drug trafficking
The Brazilian Federal Police carried out on Wednesday (Oct. 5) 22 search and seizure warrants in the cities of Ananindeua, Marituba, Barcarena, and Belém, in the state of Pará. The Portuguese Judicial Police, and the European Police Office (Europol) have participated in the operation named Euterpe, which had the support of the Brazilian Internal Revenue Service.
The action is part of the police investigation on the exportation of 320 kilos of cocaine seized in the European country at the end of June. At that time, the so-called Tropical North Operation had arrested three Brazilians in flagrante delicto for international drug trafficking. They are being held in a prison in Portugal.
"The search and seizure warrants this morning occurred at residences and companies suspected of being part of a criminal group that takes large amounts of cocaine to Europe. Electronic devices and documents that can help investigations and indicate the possible participation of other people in the crimes have been seized," the Federal Police said in a statement.
Europol have started a cooperation with the Portuguese Federal and Judiciary Police to continue investigations and dismantle the criminal group that takes drugs from South America to Europe.
Regarding the name of the operation, the police explained that Euterpe has to do with the scientific name of açaí, a typical Brazilian fruit in the Northern region of the country. The cocaine taken to Portugal was hidden in a large cargo of açaí, shipped from Vila do Conde port, in Barcarena, Pará state.
