Police inspector among 20 held in corruption investigation

BY TPN/ LUSA,

Portugal's main criminal investigation force, the Polícia Judiciária, detained 20 people on Tuesday, including one of its own inspectors and two security guards, on suspicion of paying and receiving bribes, and other crimes relating to the fraudulent approval of automobiles submitted for inspection, according to police.

The operation in the Greater Lisbon area involved 200 detectives and the seizure of evidence and objects relating to the crimes of taking and receiving bribes embezzlement abuse of power graft and document forgery.

It formed part of an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Unit (UNCC) that began some eight months ago under the direction of public prosecutors based at Sintra.

The detainees are to be questioned by a judge to decide on whether they are to remain in custody.

A police spokesman told Lusa News Agency that a PJ inspector and a couple working as security guards are among those detained, on suspicion of taking and receiving bribes.

According to the spokesman the detained inspector belongs to the UNCC, and works in an area that focusses on counterfeited credit cards and forged coins.

The other detainees include staff at automobile inspection centres and garages.