Portuguese soldiers working under the United Nations are facing accusations of smuggling large quantities of gold, diamonds, and drugs. According to British news network "Sky News," the Portuguese soldiers are part of the UN force in the Central African Republic. They are believed to be part of a criminal network that used military aircraft to transport illegal goods to Portugal.
Three hundred elements of Portuguese security have participated in searches of more than 100 facilities in the country as part of the investigation. Portuguese officials have reported that 10 individuals have been arrested so far, including former military personnel, and they are expected to appear in court this week.
The Portuguese military stated that the story dates back to late 2019 when officials became aware of this network after suspicions arose regarding soldiers' involvement in trafficking prohibited items from the Central African Republic. The military said in a statement: "The armed forces completely reject these actions, which contradict the values of the military institution."
Portuguese Defense Minister João Gomes Cravinho noted: "Everything points to these being activities initiated by a handful of soldiers and not a general approach." It is worth mentioning that hundreds of Portuguese soldiers have been deployed in the Central African Republic over the past few years, as the country is engulfed in civil war. The Central African Republic is rich in gold and diamonds; however, it remains one of the poorest countries in the world.
