Bissau, Feb. 4, 2025 (Lusa) - Two employees of Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Bissau have been detained on suspicion of involvement in drug trafficking, specifically in a case involving the seizure of more than two kilograms of cocaine in Portugal, the Guinea-Bissau's main criminal investigation force said on Tuesday.

The information was released in the form of a post on social media by the Judicial Police (PJ), which made the detentions last Thursday as part of an investigation triggered by the seizure in Portugal.

According to the information released, the operation on 30 January at Bissau airport was conducted by the Guinea-Bissau PJ's National Unit for Combating Drugs, based on information received about the detention of an individual at Lisbon airport in Portugal.

This man, according to the PJ, "was carrying 2,246.76 grams of cocaine from Bissau."

The investigation into the case "revealed that the trafficker managed to ship the drugs with the collaboration of two Bissau airport employees."

The PJ explains that "after passing through search control, the trafficker received the cargo from the hands of one of the employees, thus facilitating the illicit transport."

The two suspects were presented on Tuesday to the Public Prosecution Service, where the process of establishing the degree of their criminal responsibility will take place, the force adds.

The PJ said it was "continuing to investigate the case, reinforcing its commitment to the fight against drug trafficking and the protection of society."

The operation that led to the detention of the two officials involved the collaboration of the National Guard's territorial command at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport.

In its statement, the PJ also reiterates "the importance of co-operation between authorities in order to dismantle trafficking networks and guarantee justice."

HFI/ARO // ARO.

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