Two suspected Irish republican dissidents were arrested by the PJ Police on July 9 along with a Portuguese man.
The Irish nationals, aged 38 and 59, are believed to be linked to the IRA (Irish Republican Army) in Northern Ireland, which for years carried out several attacks in the country.
According to the police, one of the Irishmen is an Algarve resident and had been previously targeted by the Irish security forces over weapons and cigarette smuggling into Ireland.
PJ police UNCT – Unit for Combating Terrorism – raided several locations including Almancil and Olhão, and Lisbon. At the home of one of the suspects, the police seized ten guns and 250 rounds of ammunition.
The investigation began a year ago in cooperation with British counter-terrorism authorities.
Police suspect that the IRA had a cell for several years in the Algarve and was doing arms trafficking with the support of Portuguese organised crime groups.
The three detainees were presented to Court, which ordered that they be held in custody.
Investigations are continuing and extradition proceedings are expected.
