António Cotrim / Lusa
Justice Minister Rita Alarcão Judice
“If the drug is a scourge, in prisons it is unacceptable. We are very pleased to see PJ’s action, ”says Minister of Justice.
Os prison guards that are constituted arguments under Wednesday’s police operation in several arrests, on suspicion of facilitating the drug entry, will be suspended functions and target of disciplinary processes, announced the government.
Thirteen people, two of them prison guards, were arrested on – who aimed at prison establishments from Lisbon, Alcoentre, Carregueira, Sintra and Funchal (Madeira) – on suspicions of introducing drugs into prisons.
At issue are suspected of committing active and passive corruption crimes, drug trafficking, prohibited substance trafficking, document falsification, and the Judicial Police (PJ) in a statement in a statement in a statement in a statement in a statement.
The operation aimed “an alleged criminal project, among others, by prison guards that facilitate the entry of illicit substances in prison establishments in exchange for assets,” says PJ.
Under the same operation, PJ dismantled a clandestine drug production laboratory that worked in an apartment in Lisbon.
Speaking to journalists in Évora, the Minister of Justice, Rita Alarcão Judice, praised the operation carried out by PJ In several prisons in the country, considering that it was “a very important intervention”.
“If the drug is a scourge, in prisons it is unacceptable. We are really committed and very pleased to see the action of PJ ”, He stated, after the inauguration of the expansion of the Local Criminal Investigation Unit (ULIC) building of this police.
The ruler revealed to be guaranteed on the part of the Directorate-General for Reinsertion and Prison Services (DGRSP) that “all targets that are constituted arguments will be immediately suspended and object of a disciplinary proceeding”.
“The drug in chains is a theme that has been on the table and every day we fight this reality,” he assumed.
Rita Alarcão Judice said that does not confuse the targeted prison guards in the operation with the body of the prison guard, but admitted that there are elements between the suspects, “It is not something that leaves the minister of justice proud ”.
Asked by journalists, he considers himself a change in the penalty code, the minister refused to advance with changes “due to sporadic events in certain situations.”
“A change in the penalty code has to be thoughtful and thought out and we are making this reflection, we are working on this change and, when it is time, I will say the concretes,” he added.
Also in statements to journalists, the national director of PJ, Luís Neves, considered “intolerable That those who are serving time have access to dirty and anabolic products ”, as it“ calls into question the safety and structure of each prison establishment ”.
“There is no possible stunned products within prison establishments“, Reiterated, adding that in this investigation,” crimes of corruption, active and passive and trafficking of sickuents and anabolic product are at stake.
According to the official, during the police operation, “Many interveners who are not prison guards were arrested And they are suspected of, with their practices, introducing “illicit products in the prison.”
“The suspicions exist, the facts occur, there is seized product and, therefore, our mission on this day is doubly fulfilled,” he said.
