Three suspects of involvement in a tax evasion scheme in the resale of fuel were arrested today in Portugal, during searches carried out by the Tax Authority as part of an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, this institution announced today.

In statement, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) explains that “At issue is a legal VAT fraud scheme in the context of fuels that were purchased from Spain and offered for sale in Portugal, through a chain of income, generated in a patrimonial loss of 26 million euros”.

According to the investigation, the scheme would also have allowed suspects to resell at lower prices, creating unfair competition in the market.

Pointing out that the Tax Authority today carried out searches in compliance with 21 court orders in the cities of Aveiro, Greater Porto and Greater Lisbon, in an action called “Operação Gasosa”, the prosecution points out that “a total of 15 companies and five individuals are suspected of involvement”, with three suspects being arrested for presentation to the Criminal Instruction Court (TIC) for the application of the respective coercive measures.

The three suspects are charged with the crimes of tax fraud, criminal association and money laundering.

Today’s action also allowed the arrest of 16 buildings, 24 vehicles, some of which are luxury vehicles, seven shareholdings and bank accounts worth 11 million euros, adds the EPPO statement.

The operation involved 50 tax inspectors, from the Customs Anti-Fraud Directorate (DSAFA), the Porto Finance Directorate (DF Porto) and the Forensic Informatics Nucleus, in collaboration with members of the Public Security Police, as well as two delegated European prosecutors and two judges of criminal instruction.