"Seized chemicals were used as gasoline substitutes for fuelling vehicles, thereby escaping their taxation," GNR said in a statement.

During the “Escape Limpo” operation - which included 34 searches, including 25 homes and nine in warehouses and vehicles - 24,380 cigarettes and 3,000 Euros were seized.

Following the action, four men were identified, aged between 30 and 55 years, and two companies in the area of ??chemicals.

The suspects were constituted defendants and indicted of the crime of fraudulent introduction in the consumption of products subject to Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products, and the facts were reported to the Court of Braga.

The operation, developed by the Detachment in Porto's GNR Tax Action Unit, came about “following an investigation that took place about six months ago, aimed at dismantling an illegal network dedicated to the distribution and sale to end consumers of products with fuel characteristics”.

In the “Escape Limpo” operation, a team specialized in hazardous materials from GNR's Emergency, Protection and Relief Unit and the National Energy Sector (ENSE) collaborated.