In a statement, the PJ said that Operation Porthos "investigates the benefit of criminal organizations dedicated to the export of large quantities of cocaine from Latin America".

"These criminal organisations use national seaports as a gateway for narcotic products into the European continent, hidden in various products packed in containers," adds the institution.

The investigation is the result of international police cooperation and involves suspicions of active and passive corruption, drug trafficking and money laundering.

According to CNN Portugal, the PJ suspects that Tax Authority employees at customs were bribed by the Primeiro Comando da Capital, from Brazil, and Colombian cartels to let the drugs pass through.

On the ground, there are 150 inspectors and experts from the PJ, accompanied by four magistrates from the Public Prosecutor's Office.

"The operation is being carried out in the metropolitan area of ​​Lisbon, in Setúbal, Sines and in Leiria and aims to execute 32 search warrants, of which 14 are residential and 18 are non-residential, to collect additional evidence", the PJ states in the note.

The investigation will continue, within the scope of an inquiry led by the Central Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DCIAP) of the Public Prosecutor's Office.

Contacted by the Lusa news agency, the chairman of the board of directors of the Ports of Sines and Algarve (APS), José Luís Cacho, said he had not had “official knowledge of the operation” by the PJ in the Alentejo port.

“We had no official knowledge of the operation at the port and we shouldn’t have,” said the official, adding that it was “a normal issue,” given that ports “are sensitive points and prone to this type of illicit activity.”

“Unfortunately, these things happen” and operations of this type “are important to ensure everyone’s safety,” he stressed.