GNR: 6 months of investigation lead to the arrest of two people for cannabis cultivation and alleged drug trafficking

The Territorial Command of the GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) of Aveiro, through the Criminal Investigation Nucleus (NIC) of Anadia, arrested a 29-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman for drug trafficking on 21 September.

"As part of an investigation that had been going on for about six months, for drug trafficking, the Guard's military found that the suspects were producing and growing cannabis with a view to its subsequent commercialization," the GNR said in a statement.

Following the police investigations, “the Military Guard carried out two house searches and a search of a vehicle, which culminated in the seizure of:

• 1 doses of cannabis;
• 101 cannabis plants;
• Two boxes of powdered cannabis;
• Two crushers;
• A precision balance.

The detainees were present for the first judicial interrogation, on September 22, at the Anadia Court, for the application of coercive measures. The action included the reinforcement of the Intervention Detachment (DI) of the Territorial Command of Aveiro and of military personnel from the Territorial Post of Anadia.

Portugal decriminalized the possession and use of all drugs in 2001, but the purchase, sale and cultivation of cannabis continue to be punishable by law, with hundreds of arrests for small-quantity consumption ending up as court cases for “trafficking of narcotics”. Detainees are rarely actually arrested, being released after being presented to a judge, which represents administrative costs for the State. The GNR makes arrests for possession or cultivation of cannabis in Portugal practically every day.