The Judiciary Police (PJ) warned today of the increase in drug circulation, which this year has already led to the seizure of practically the same amount seized in 2022, defending more means to combat trafficking.
At a press conference held at the headquarters of the PJ's national directorate, Rui Sousa, coordinator of the National Unit to Combat Narcotics Trafficking (UNCTE), underlined that around 40 tons of drugs have already been seized in Portugal in the first six months of this year, with emphasis on hashish and cocaine.
«Some drugs already have a higher quantity seized than last year, especially hashish. In relation to cocaine, it is still not higher than last year's value, but it is already quite considerable», said the head of the PJ, presenting the explanations for the current reality: «It will be a combination of several things: an increase in supply from producing countries and an increase in the capacity and effectiveness of the authorities involved in the fight”.
Rui Sousa also pointed out that cocaine is, above all, from countries in South America, while the hashish that has arrived in Portugal comes mostly from Morocco.
The PJ alert takes place precisely on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, with the authorities marking the date with the incineration of about six tons of various types of drugs seized during the last few months.
The destruction of the drug took place under the supervision of a commission made up of a public prosecutor, a PJ investigator and an expert from the Scientific Police Laboratory.
In 2022, almost 42 tons of drugs were seized, according to the 2022 report on Combating Narcotics Trafficking in Portugal, which gathers data on drug seizures carried out by PJ, GNR, PSP, Tax and Customs Authority (AT), Foreigners and Borders (SEF) and also by other State entities, such as the Maritime Police (PM) and the Directorate-General for Reinsertion and Prison Services (DGRSP).
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