Cape Verde Dismantles 15-Year Drug Ring in Operation Shark
A Cape Verdean court has ordered seven individuals to remain in pretrial detention following a massive police crackdown that dismantled a drug trafficking network spanning over 15 years. The sweep, dubbed “Operation Shark,” targeted a criminal organization with international connections operating out of the nation’s capital.
Investigation Targets Relentless Network
The Judicial Police (PJ) announced on Sunday that the arrests follow a long-term investigation into the group’s illicit activities. Of the 12 individuals detained during the operation, seven were sent to preventive custody after their initial judicial interrogations. This group includes the primary targets of the investigation.
The suspects range in age from 22 to 92 years old. While seven remain in custody, the court granted conditional release to five others—a 92-year-old man and four women. These individuals are prohibited from leaving the country and must report regularly to the authorities.
Seizures Reveal a High-Stakes Operation
Operation Shark unfolded last Thursday across several neighborhoods in Praia, including Fazenda, Palmarejo, Craveiro Lopes, and Plateau. During the raids, police seized more than one kilogram of cocaine and approximately €20,000 (roughly $21,700) in cash.
Beyond drugs and money, authorities confiscated an arsenal of weapons, ammunition, and 25 vehicles. The fleet of seized transport included everything from standard taxis to high-end luxury cars, highlighting the scale of the organization’s reach and assets.
A ‘Drug Baron’ Among the Detained
The Judicial Police revealed that the majority of the suspects are repeat offenders. Among those in custody is a prominent figure in Praia’s social circles, whom investigators have dubbed the “baron” and “dinosaur” of Cape Verdean drug trafficking.
The dismantling of this network marks a significant victory for local law enforcement against a group that had allegedly operated with impunity for over a decade and a half.
Image: Pexels – Juan Pablo Daniel
