Officials Are Finally Addressing The Mega Operation Publicly

Mega Operation Had Been Planned for two to three Years

In a long-awaited press conference, the Director of the Portuguese Crime and Investigation Police Luís Neves revealed that the mega operation against corruption in Madeira was initiated in September 2023, but has been prepared for two to three years. He further clarified that 140 inspectors and 10 experts from Lisbon were involved, not the previously mentioned 300. Neves stressed the importance of collaboration between the Police and the Armed Forces.

Press Conference Required as Legitimacy of The Operation is Called Into Question

Luís Neves mentioned that he provides this press release now as the operation's legitimacy had begun to be called into question. Despite the challenging nature of carrying out house searches, Neves emphasized the necessity of doing so with the appropriate means.

“None of us take pleasure in carrying out searches, because our private lives are at stake, but we have to carry out [the mission] with the appropriate means”,

Luís Neves, head of Police.

Detainees Are Still Awaiting Their Interrogation in Lisbon

Currently, the three detainees are awaiting their first interrogation in Lisbon. Neves mentioned a significant amount of evidence, including more than a ton of digital material collected during the operation. He further clarified that 107 searches have been concluded in Madeira and 25 on the mainland, utilizing 24 assets from Madeira. Neves did not comment on the decision to hear the defendants on the Continent.

Mega Operation Has Been Kept A Secret Until The End, Police Claims

Addressing concerns about a search warrant circulating online before the operation started, Neves expressed that it would have worried him if this information had been disclosed beforehand. He clarified that the PJ is completely unaware of information leaks and is not aware of any investigation into the violation of judicial secrecy in this case. Neves further explained that no journalists had been transported by the Portuguese airforce and that no journalist knew “what was going to happen”

Source: JM-Madeira