A source from the Lisbon and Tagus Valley (DLVT) Board, of the PJ, told Lusa that more than 100 officers were involved in the investigation which took place in cooperation with the PSP, GNR and SEF.

Four more arrests, of three men and one woman, were also made as part of the investigation which involved house searches across the country. The five detainees were between 32 and 51 years old.

The DLVT source explained that the prime suspect and ring leader “had special knowledge” at the Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT) “which allowed him to obtain driving licenses” without the necessary legal examination, being legally inserted into the system, and also contacting SEF for legalisation of persons.

The police added that the forged driving licenses were sold for up to €1,500.