The Food and Economic Security Authority closed 11 local accommodations in Lisbon this Tuesday and launched six administrative infringement proceedings, following the operation that dismantled an illegal immigration criminal organization operating in several European countries.
In a statement, the Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE) says the main violations found related to “lack of registration, lack of hygienic conditions, the presence of vermin, lack of security conditions and protection measures, data breaches of personal data and capture and registration of images without the proper authorization, among others”.
ASAE reports that it was part of the joint global operation coordinated by EUROJUST (European Union Agency for Cooperation in Criminal Matters) and EUROPOL (European Union Agency for Police Cooperation), to “dismantle a criminal organization responsible for for the proliferation of illegal migrants in Europe”.
“As part of this operation aimed at combating human trafficking and aiding illegal immigration, ASAE, through its Southern Regional Unit, today carried out an inspection of more than a dozen local accommodations in the city of Lisbon, where more than a hundred immigrants were housed, some of whom are staying illegally on the national territory,” ASAE continues.
As a result of today’s operation, ASAE has found the suspension of 11 local accommodations (AL) and initiated six administrative infringement proceedings.
ASAE also states that it will continue to develop inspection actions “in favor of healthy and fair competition between market participants, in ensuring consumer safety and in verifying compliance with current regulations”.
Following this joint operation, the judicial police, through the National Unit against Terrorism, on Monday arrested six people in the Lisbon region, suspected of participating in a criminal organization that encourages illegal immigration, suspected of crimes of criminal association. , human trafficking, assistance with illegal immigration and forgery of documents.
This network reportedly brought immigrants to Portugal so that they could regularize their situation with the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) and obtain the respective residence permit, the vast majority using forged documents.
The PJ emphasizes that the police action was carried out in several phases, namely with the execution and execution of 18 search warrants and six arrest warrants issued by the Department of Investigation and Penal Action (DIAP) in Lisbon, with this action affecting the center of Lisbon, Vila Franca de Xira and the south bank of the Tagus.
This operation involved 110 judicial police inspectors, with the support of SEF and ASAE, in addition to elements from the countries involved in this JIT (Joint Investigation Team).
The investigation began in Portugal in February 2022 and was the result of close cooperation with the European judicial authorities, with EUROJUST coordinating the various investigations through a JIT, with the support of Europol.
The survey, which is being conducted by the Lisbon DIAP, identified 337 transports between Lisbon/Paris/Lisbon, out of a total of more than 6,000 illegal immigrants.
Source: DN
