Officers also seized 34,000 doses of narcotics.

In a statement, the GNR explained that the Braga Territorial Command, through the Barcelos Criminal Investigation Unit, in coordination with the Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DIAP) of Vila Nova de Famalicão, arrested 16 men and three women as part of a police operation to combat organised crime.

According to the security force, the operation targeted a group suspected of drug trafficking. These individuals allegedly managed the logistics chain from acquisition to sale to the final consumer in several districts of Northern and Central Portugal.

The GNR stated that investigations had been ongoing for about a year. As part of these investigations, officers executed 42 search warrants.

These included 22 house searches and 20 searches of vehicles, garages, and warehouses in Braga, Porto, Coimbra, and Guarda. The operation resulted in the arrest of 16 men and three women aged 25 to 47. Four of those arrested were captured after their arrest warrants were executed.

During the police operation, GNR officers seized 24,786 doses of hashish, 6,335 doses of cocaine, 3,174 doses of marijuana, 47 grams of ecstasy, 168 doses of MDMA, and 14 grams of LSD.

GNR officers also seized six vehicles, four firearms, 134 rounds of ammunition, a silencer, four batons, a machete, and eight knuckle dusters.

Additionally, officers seized four laptops, a drone, almost €122,000, 23 mobile phones, 13 scales, and drug packaging materials.

The detainees will be presented to the Guimarães Criminal Court on Thursday for the application of coercive measures.

The operation involved two hundred officers.

The Criminal Investigation structure of the Braga Territorial Command was reinforced by the territorial unit and the Braga Intervention Detachment. The Territorial Commands of Viana do Castelo, Aveiro, Porto, Coimbra, and Guarda also assisted. In addition, the Public Order Intervention Group of the GNR Intervention Unit participated, according to the statement.

The operation also received support from the PSP.