Detained at Lisbon airport with 350 passports: Man linked to immigration ring
A man carrying over 350 passports from Guinea-Bissau has been detained at Lisbon Airport. He is suspected of involvement with a criminal group facilitating the legalisation of immigrants in Portugal.
The individual was apprehended at Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon with more than 350 passports from Guinea-Bissau. These documents may be genuine and may be part of a criminal operation aimed at making the residency of immigrants in Portugal lawful.
Detained with 350 passports at the airport
The man is suspected of being a member of a criminal group that organises the legalisation of individuals residing in Portugal without valid documentation. The investigation is being conducted by three branches of Portuguese security services, and he has already been charged with offences related to the trafficking of governmental documents.
Portugal, with a population of over 10 million, has been grappling with illegal immigration for many years. It is estimated that around half a million individuals live in the country without legal status.
In response to this issue, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's government has announced its intention to deport at least 4,500 illegal immigrants by June this year.
