Portugal’s GNR police have seized 8,000 litres of petrol being transported in hundreds of jerrycans after stopping a truck on the A2 motorway in Alcácer do Sal.
The vehicle was intercepted at around 9.50pm on Tuesday at the Alcácer do Sal service station, at kilometre 69 of the A2, while travelling northbound.
During the inspection, officers discovered 320 jerrycans, each capable of holding 25 litres of fuel, amounting to a total of 8,000 litres of petrol.
According to the GNR, the fuel was being transported without complying with the rules governing the road transport of dangerous goods (ADR).
The truck’s driver, a 24-year-old man, was made an arguido – a formal suspect under Portuguese law – on suspicion of drug trafficking. He was allowed to remain at liberty under a Term of Identity and Residence (TIR), the standard measure requiring a suspect to provide the authorities with a fixed address, notify them of any change of residence and appear when summoned. The case has been referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
A second vehicle believed to be connected to the case was also stopped and searched, with its 32-year-old driver identified.
Police seized the truck and a mobile phone in addition to the 8,000 litres of petrol.
The operation also resulted in 17 administrative offences relating to breaches of regulations governing the transport of dangerous goods, as well as another offence concerning the irregular introduction of fuel into circulation.
The seizure comes amid heightened scrutiny of large quantities of fuel being transported or stored in jerrycans in Portugal, with authorities investigating several recent cases for possible links to organised drug trafficking.
Michael Bruxo
Journalist for the Portugal Resident.