20 people arrested for falsifying tests of water intended for human consumption

The Judicial Police of Porto and Vila Real are carrying out a major operation that again focuses on the water business and municipal companies. 20 suspects were arrested for falsifying tests of water intended for human consumption, including crimes related to abuse of power, computer forgery, aggravated forgery, criminal association, malfeasance, spreading disease and forgery of prescriptions.

There are also 60 searches of houses and non-residential premises targeting various individuals, companies and government agencies located in different municipalities.

According to a statement by the Judicial Police, the investigation focuses on the fraudulent activities of the laboratory responsible for the collection and analysis of water intended for human consumption, wastewater, bathing water, swimming pools, catchments, streams, boreholes, wells and others.

“Adulteration aims to reduce laboratory costs while compromising the credibility and reliability of analytical results and, as a result, the quality of water consumed daily by the population,” he adds.

Detained between the ages of 25 and 61, “laboratory employees and managers, employees, directors and local elected officials of business entities and/or companies (municipal chambers and concession companies) will be brought for judicial questioning for the application of coercive measures deemed appropriate.” .

After Montalegre and Espinho, as well as the arrest of the mayors, this time there are four municipalities to look for: Vila Real, Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Vila Flor and Alfandega da Fe, the last two are already in the Bragança region.

Several arrests are planned in the case, which belongs to DIAP Porto and is led by Judge Pedro Miguel Vieira. The process is again focusing on the business of municipal companies.

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