PJ warns of increased drug supply and asks for more funds to fight

The Judicial Police (SP) warned this Monday of an increase in drug trafficking, which has already led to seizures of almost the same amount of drugs this year as in 2022, advocating for additional means of combating illicit trafficking.

Rui Souza, coordinator of the National Anti-Narcotics Unit (UNCTE), said at a press conference at the headquarters of the National Directorate of the SP that about 40 tons of drugs have already been seized in Portugal in the first six months. months of this year. especially hashish and cocaine.

“For some drugs, more have already been seized than last year, especially hashish. For cocaine, this is still not higher than last year’s value, but already quite significant,” said the person in charge of the JV, presenting explanations of the real situation: “It will be a combination of several things: an increase in supplies from producing countries and an increase in the capacity and effectiveness of the authorities involved in the fight.” .

Rui Souza also noted that cocaine comes primarily from South America, while the hashish that goes to Portugal mainly comes from Morocco.

PJ’s warning comes just in time for International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Traffic, when authorities commemorate the date by burning some six tons of different types of drugs seized over the past few months.

The destruction of drugs took place under the supervision of a commission consisting of a prosecutor, an investigator of the Joint Venture and an expert from the Scientific Police Laboratory.

Almost 42 tons of drugs were seized in 2022, according to Portugal’s Anti-Drug Trafficking Report 2022, which compiles data on drug seizures by PJ, GNR, PSP, Tax and Customs (AT), Foreigners and Borders (SEF), as well as other government agencies such as the Maritime Police (PM) and the General Directorate for Reintegration and Prison Services (DGRSP).