The PJ also seized 9,5 kilos of cannabis by group, led by an individual from the municipality of Aljustrel, that supplied Greater Lisbon and will be tried in Beja.
More than one million two hundred thousand euros in banknotes and 908 cannabis packaging, with the overall weight of 91,5 kilograms, were found in the morning of 20 May 2021, by inspectors from the National Unit to Combat Drug Trafficking (UNCT) the Judicial Police (PJ) when they entered a warehouse located in Aldeia do Ronquenho, in Ferreira do Alentejo.
part of the money, 300 thousand euros, was stored inside a vehicle where the narcotic product was also, and the rest of the notes, more than 900 thousand euros was hidden in the wall of the building, concealed with wooden boards, situation that did not deceive the PJ inspectors.
The operation aimed to dismantle a powerful drug trafficking group, which operated under the orders of Joaquim F., known as “Poppy”, resident in São João de Negrilhos, county Aljustrel, responsible for the acquisition of large quantities of cannabis to supply the Greater Lisbon region. André G., resident in the village of Rouquenho, near the warehouse, both in preventive detention, and more 10 Defendants, all ages between 27 and 44 year old, four from Alentejo and the rest from Quinta do Conde, Setubal, Almada and Lisbon.
The PJ followed the group from the beginning of 2020 and in April of that year he had the opportunity to stop the ringleader of the network when he was preparing to make a transaction of 97 pounds of cannabis, in Carnide, but the arrival of PSP agents following the buyers, led to the “sellers” being able to flee, but don't take the drug with you.
In 4 March last year, three of the defendants traveled from Amadora to Faro to acquire cannabis, carrying with you 40.900 euros, but, by uncleared reasons, the trio returned from the Algarve “empty-handed”, having been intersected by the PJ on the A2, the money was seized. One of the defendants tried to flee by car., having twice rammed one of the police cars, causing damage in excess of 3.100 euros.
One month before the disbandment of the group, In a statement, BE recalls that the Administration of Hospital de São Paulo, “Pópó” and three other individuals traveled to São Marcos, Serpa county, border area that was closed, and on foot they went to a vehicle on the Spanish side and carried four backpacks and three cases of cannabis shopping that they took to the Aldeia do Ronquenho warehouse, drug that would later be picked up by the PJ.
Joaquim, André and a third defendant asked for the opening of the instruction, arguing the inexistence of evidence of the activity pointed out in the indictment, but the judges of the “Ticão”, refused and ordered them to be judged. The charges involve the crimes of aggravated drug trafficking, bleaching, personal favor, aggravated harm and possession of a prohibited weapon, the defendants being judged next week at the Beja Court.
Teixeira Correia
(journalist)
