In 2023, the GNR detained 122 people and identified a further 299 people for agricultural theft.

Between July and December last year, the GNR detained 122 people and identified 299 more for farm theft, detecting and confiscating 44,221 tonnes of olives, the corporation said on Tuesday.

According to the summary of Operation Campo Seguro 2023, the PNP states that between June 26 and December 31, 2023, it “intensified patrols, inspections and awareness-raising on agricultural and forestry farms throughout the country, with the aim of preventing crime in general and theft in particular, as well as possible situations of human trafficking.”

During the operation, the GNR carried out 3,108 awareness-raising campaigns targeting 13,892 people “in rural communities, in particular among farmers, on measures to prevent criminal offenses, namely theft of agricultural products, theft of copper and other base metals.” situations of exploitation in the world of work associated with human trafficking, as well as for the safe use of agricultural and forestry machines.”

Gardaí also carried out 3,087 patrols and 1,327 other checks, resulting in 122 arrests and identification of a further 299, mostly for farm thefts.

Olives were the most stolen and confiscated product in several districts, especially Beja (39,719 kilograms), followed by Évora (3,398 kilograms), Portalegre (962 tons), Faro (107 pieces) and Castelo Branco (35 tons), total the volume of which amounted to 44,221 tons.

Among the most seized products are also carob beans (1,350 kg, in the Faro district), cork in Beja (710) and Santarem (15), 790 kg of chestnuts recorded in Bragança and pine cones in Lisbon (234). and Setúbal (102).

The number of olive thefts in 2023 more than doubled compared to 2022 and more than quadrupled compared to 2021, according to preliminary data released by the police in mid-December.