Summary:
A massive police operation is underway in Madeira targeting corruption and public contracts.
Investigators are executing 25 search warrants across various public and private organizations.
Key targets include multiple government secretariats and public companies like Águas e Resíduos da Madeira (ARM).
Allegations involve contractual irregularities exceeding one million euros from 2020 to 2024.
The investigation focuses on four serious crimes including economic participation and party financing.
Major Corruption Investigation in Madeira
A significant operation by the Judicial Police (PJ) has commenced in the Madeira Autonomous Region, involving 25 searches across various public organizations and at least one private company. This operation is part of a judicial investigation focused on public contracts and commercial relationships.
Key Organizations Under Scrutiny
The investigation, led by the Central Department of Investigation and Penal Action (DCIAP) based in Lisbon, has targeted several government bodies, including:
- Regional Secretariat of Health and Civil Protection
- Regional Secretariat of Finance
- Regional Secretariat of Equipment and Infrastructures
- Regional Secretariat of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Environment
Additionally, searches are being conducted at public companies such as Águas e Resíduos da Madeira (ARM), Administration of the Ports of Madeira (APRAM), and the Institute of Regional Development (IDR), along with two municipal chambers: Funchal and Calheta.
Allegations of Serious Crimes
The investigation is centered on suspicions of contractual irregularities valued at over one million euros occurring between 2020 and 2024. The PJ is investigating four key crimes:
- Economic participation in business
- Undue advantage receipt
- Party financing
- Prevarication
Among the entities involved, companies owned by businessman Humberto Drumond are notably under investigation.
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