Operation Albare has resulted in the arrest of a group of Chinese, suspected of criminal association, money laundering, qualified tax fraud and the sale of counterfeit goods.
Group members are suspected of laundering €40 million: computer equipment and mobile phones also have been seized in evidence.
In the course of about 40 searches carried out in the Vila do Conde, Póvoa de Varzim, Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia and Sintra, six individuals were arrested for the above crimes, plus there were two arrests for falsification of documents, illegal emigration and drug trafficking.
The main focus for the Police activity was at commercial establishments in the Varziela industrial zone in Vila do Conde, an area of warehouses known locally as ‘Chinatown’ where imported Chinese goods are held and distributed.
According to the Police, who worked on the investigation with the Tax Authority, the €40 million guesstimate for the total sum involved relates to the period between January 2016 and March 2018.
The Police also seized 18 cars, most of them high-end vehicles, around €350,000 in currency, computer equipment, mobile phones, around €3 million in counterfeit goods without proper documentation, dozens of false identification documents, passports and driving licenses, as well as all sorts of import and resale paperwork.
The detainees, aged between 34 and 57, are all Chinese and will be up before the court which will decide if they can be released pending trial or remain in custody.
The investigation started at grass roots level with Police questioning dozens of ‘Chinese shop’ resellers of imported products and going through their paperwork with a fine-toothed comb.
Several illegalities and tax evasion scams were discovered, along with products received that, mysteriously, had not been invoiced.
