Operation Cruzeiro: 18 Arrested in Cape Verde Police Sweep
In a major security sweep targeting violent crime on the island of Santiago, Cape Verdean authorities have arrested 18 people and seized a cache of drugs and weapons. The coordinated action, dubbed “Operation Cruzeiro” (Operation Cruise), took place on Saturday in the municipality of Santa Cruz.
Massive Force Deployed
The operation was a large-scale joint effort, mobilizing approximately 180 personnel from the Judicial Police (PJ), the National Police, and the Cape Verdean Armed Forces. During the crackdown, law enforcement officers executed 22 simultaneous house searches across the municipality.
Serious Charges and Seizures
Of the 18 individuals apprehended, a judge has ordered 12 to remain in preventive detention while the investigation proceeds. The suspects—all Cape Verdean nationals ranging in age from 16 to 31—face a wide array of serious criminal charges, including:
- Attempted murder
- Criminal association
- Illegal possession of firearms
- Theft and robbery
- Aggravated assault
- Making criminal threats
The Judicial Police confirmed that the searches resulted in the seizure of various quantities of illicit drugs, including cocaine, as well as several illegal weapons.
A Blow to Local Criminal Networks
Operation Cruzeiro represents a significant push by the Cape Verdean government to dismantle criminal gangs and curb a rise in violent offenses in Santa Cruz. By targeting a group primarily composed of young adults, authorities hope to disrupt the criminal associations that have been linked to a recent wave of local instability.
Image: Pexels – Anya Juárez Tenorio
