“Three international cartel barons flee after release: the plan involved the transshipment of a ton of cocaine in our waters.”
Cape Verde's role as a transit point for transatlantic drug trafficking remains a critical challenge to national security. We recall that the strategic position of our archipelago, located between South America and Europe, has historically been exploited by Brazilian cartels (such as the PCC) and criminal organizations from the Balkans. Previous operations have confirmed that Cape Verdean territorial waters are often used for ship-to-ship transshipment, taking advantage of the vast maritime area to evade port surveillance.
Judicial error and the escape of the barons
A detailed investigation published by the Portuguese magazine Sábado revealed a serious flaw in the judicial system that allowed three dangerous international drug traffickers to escape. The case directly affects Cape Verde, as our archipelago was identified as the focal point of the cartel's logistics for introducing large quantities of cocaine into Europe.
According to information gathered by Sábado, the suspects—two Brazilians linked to the First Capital Command (PCC) and a member of the Balkan mafia—were released by court order after the expiration of their preventive detention periods in Portugal. Once released, the criminals took the opportunity to disappear and are now unknown whereabouts with international arrest warrants pending.
The logistics plan in Cape Verdean waters
The investigation that led to the initial arrest of these men revealed a sophisticated plan. Around one ton of cocaine was shipped from Brazil with a specific destination: the high seas, near Cape Verde. According to the authorities, it was in this area that the drugs were to be transferred from a transoceanic ship to a smaller fishing boat.
This method, known as "deep-sea transshipment," aims to conceal the origin of the cargo and facilitate entry into Portuguese waters by simulating normal fishing activity. This episode once again highlights the vulnerability of our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Although Cape Verde has strengthened cooperation with agencies such as the DEA and Europol, the reported case demonstrates that cartels continue to view our sea as an attractive logistics corridor.
The faces behind the operation
Gabriel Carvalho, identified as one of the coordinators of the operation, was allegedly responsible for managing the link between South American suppliers and distribution in Europe. He used Cape Verde's position as the main "hub" of this network. His ability to coordinate between the Brazilian PCC and European criminal groups highlights the complexity of the networks operating in the Mid-Atlantic.
Chapter IV: Implications for National Security
For readers in Cape Verde, this news serves as a warning about the security implications that drug trafficking imposes on the country. The escape of these individuals in Portugal means that the contact networks and logistical infrastructures they have established may remain operational. In addition, the persistent use of our waters for these activities carries with it the risk of organized crime infiltrating institutions and increasing local violence.
Conclusion: A call for vigilance
It is imperative that Cape Verde continues to deepen intelligence sharing with international partners to ensure that our waters are no longer a link for transnational organized crime. The security of the archipelago depends on a firm and coordinated response against those who seek to turn our territory into a hub for crime.
Cape Verde 24.info
Source: Report from Sábado magazine
Image: IA
