GNR leads searches on suspicions of ‘environmental crimes’

Company based in Braga with “several branches throughout country” targeted

Portugal’s National Republican Guard (GNR) has been carrying out searches today on suspicion of environmental offences in the treatment of waste, a source has told Lusa.

SIC Notícias says six house searches and another 15 non-house searches have been effected in the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga, Porto, Aveiro, Leiria, Santarém, Lisbon, Setúbal and Portalegre.

A total of 86 GNR agents and 20 inspectors from the General Inspectorate for Agriculture, the Sea, the Environment and Spatial Planning (IGAMAOT) were involved in initiatives which began this morning, along withtwo inspectors from the Tax Authority (AT).

At issue are suspicions of tax evasion, possible smuggling and the importation of hazardous waste that is not intended for treatment, explain reports.

The news was first trailed on CNN Portugal, which said the searches were being carried out for environmental offences in the waste treatment business, and “above all, targetting a company based in Braga that has several branches throughout the country”.

Sources: SIC Notícias/ Lusa