Madrid, Nov 26, (dpa/GNA) – Eleven police officers have been arrested in Portugal, on charges of human trafficking.
The 10 members of the National Guard (GNR) and one officer from the municipal police (PSP), are accused of participating in a large-scale system of exploiting illegal immigrant workers in agriculture, the Criminal Investigation Department (PJ) and the GNR announced in Lisbon on Wednesday.
The violent, “mafia-like” criminal organization was broken up, after months of investigation and several raids over recent days. However, the alleged head of the network, an Indian citizen, escaped capture and is on the run.
Investigators say the gang kept hundreds of mostly illegal migrants in agricultural businesses in the regions around Beja, Portalegre, Figueira da Foz and Porto in slave-like conditions. The victims were often beaten and forced to work non-stop in the fields from sunrise to sunset, under threat of violence.
According to the PJ statement, the victims were housed in makeshift accommodation, often in dilapidated buildings. They had to pay for the mattresses provided and for food and drink. All their papers were taken from them.
A total of 17 people were arrested. They are due to appear before the investigating judge in Lisbon on Thursday.
In addition to human trafficking, they are charged with aiding and abetting illegal immigration, document forgery, tax fraud, money laundering, corruption, and abuse of office.
The freed migrants were taken to the air force base in Beja, where they will soon be questioned. Despite their victim status, many now face deportation.
Investigators say there is also a risk that some will refuse to testify, for fear of reprisals against relatives in their countries of origin.
GNA