The trial of “Shusha” (Ruben Oliveira), considered the largest Portuguese trafficker, and the other 18 accused of cocaine trafficking, criminal association and money laundering continues this Wednesday at the Central Criminal Court of Lisbon.
ABOUT CM You know that two of the 55 prosecution witnesses will be questioned this Wednesday. The Ministry of Justice has called two police inspectors to tell how they dismantled the largest human trafficking network in Portugal.
According to the department’s indictment, the criminal group, led by Ruben Oliveira, had “close ties” to drug trafficking organizations in Brazil and Colombia and imported large quantities of cocaine from South America since mid-2019.
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Updated April 3, 2024 | 16:33
The witness continues to testify
The witness claims that they realized that it was “Syuksa” who “had the money and the authority to make decisions. It was he who gave the instructions. He kept track of the supplies.”
“There was an acquisition of real estate and we were monitoring it. We saw the bag and suspected that there might be money in it. Ruben Oliveira was at the door of the notary’s office. Payment was in cash, which is what we saw during observation. “, they shoot.
At the second meeting, seven accused who are in pre-trial detention are present. Of those who are at large, only two were present at the trial: Carla Oliveira, the wife of “Chux”, and Luis Firmino (according to the deputy’s charges, he joined the organization in early 2020). The suspect was responsible for purchasing and delivering encrypted mobile phones to the rest of the network.
A prosecution witness heard today explains that users of these mobile phones can communicate freely without the risk of their communications being intercepted thanks to the installation of classic telephone listening devices.
The trial resumed after the lunch break
Lawyer Melo Alves files an application
Melo Alves, a lawyer for Gurvinder Slnghd, an Indian grocery store owner, explains that “during the deposition, the witness consulted the record and testified. The witness was permitted to review the final report.”
The witness testified when the information he said was revealed.
“We understand that we are dealing with a clear violation. The testimony cannot be assessed by the court,” he says.
ABOUT CM he knows that the Indian accused who testified on Tuesday already has secret police protection. He is under house arrest, on an electronic bracelet, but he is allowed to go to work in a supermarket.
Gurvinder Snghd was one of two defendants who agreed to take the stand and pointed the finger at Ruben Oliveira, “Shuks”.
The judge did not grant the request of the Indian’s lawyer.
A chronology of seizures made over many years is beginning to emerge.
The witness, a police officer, says the situation is like a “puzzle” in which the pieces are “fitting together.”
“We determine by contact list, geolocation and content,” he says.
He explains that he walked up to Ruben’s house and “quickly realized that the Wi-Fi network matched the alias used on the encrypted platform.”
“Sky was a similar platform. And from 2020 to March 2021, they started using this platform. Listen to the voicemails we analyzed. The voice was analyzed and they clearly determined that they were one and the same. And birthday, and birthday. they fit just right in the photo,” he explains.
He adds that “the exchange of photographs between members of the group confirms the absence of robberies,” which explains why the suspects sent images of their luggage to encrypted platforms.
The network, led by Xuxa, had ties to “Brazilian Pablo Escobar.” Two drug traffickers were together in Portugal.
The first inspector begins to speak. He says he has followed most of the surveillance and that the SP is “recursively carrying out checks in the seaport of Setúbal.”
“The investigation into international drug trafficking began in 2019. I joined him in 2020 and at that time Ruben Oliveira had already been identified,” he assured.
“There is a container containing 400 kilograms of cocaine on pineapple pallets and following the seizure we began an investigation. This investigation is different from the investigation of Ruben Oliveira,” he added.
When Ruben Oliveira went to Stuttgart (Germany) with Luis Ferreira, the inspector said that there was suspicion because Luis Ferreira was involved in the first investigation.
The inspector also stated that the investigation was advanced through wiretapping and surveillance, with the group using Encrochat platforms (wpp encrypted conversation) and that it was only with the cooperation of French authorities that they were able to access conversations on that platform.
“One of the encrochat subscriptions was ending and Ruben Oliveira was using his personal number,” the inspector assured.
According to the inspector, Ruben Oliveira was identified first and sent the following message:
“This will end soon. I’m going to make a new invitation that is subscriptions. But my personal number is 93…”
“Sergio Carvalho was here in Portugal. There are a lot of messages between them,” he also assured. The accused Ruben Oliveira and other members of the criminal organization established contacts with individuals in Brazil, in particular with Sergio Carvalho, and in other cases with individuals associated with Comando Vermelho (a Brazilian criminal organization involved in drug trafficking with connections, branches and members in Bolivia , Paraguay and Colombia). Sergio Carvalho was arrested a week before Xushi and is now in prison in Belgium.
“During the investigation, we confiscated 12 million euros, and one of the accused said: “We need to understand why 5 million is ours,” he further said.
“Messages reveal working methods, images of products… 99% of messages related to network planning and implementation.”
Second trial begins
Security has been enhanced. There are 16 agents present in the conference room, including PSP agents and prison guards.
Seven defendants in custody attended the hearing. Syuksa entered with her head held high.
Author: Madalena Sales This Deborah Carvalho
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Tifany Hawkins, a professional journalist with years of experience in news reporting. I currently work for a prominent news website and write articles for 24NewsReporters as an author. My primary focus is on economy-related stories, though I am also experienced in several other areas of journalism.