Guinea-Bissau deputy detained in Lisbon with almost half a million euros worth of cocaine

Two weeks ago, Guinean prosecutor Eduardo Mancanha was also intercepted at Lisbon airport in possession of drugs.

According to information collected by JN, Manuel Irénio Nascimento Lopes, known in his homeland as Manelinho, landed in Portugal on a plane that made the connection between Bissau and Lisbon and was heading towards the airport exit when he was approached by members of the Tax and Customs Authority. They intended to inspect the suitcases of the deputy of the Assembly of Guinea-Bissau, but Manuel Lopes was categorically opposed, claiming that he had a diplomatic passport and, consequently, his suitcases could not be inspected either.

The discussion prolonged and forced the Tax and Customs Authority to call the Judiciary Police who, when they arrived at the airport, explained to the Guinean deputy that the diplomatic bags comply with a protocol that did not apply in that case. The inspectors added that the fact that Manelinho enjoyed diplomatic immunity did not prevent the inspection of the bags.

Soon after, the luggage of the former president of the Guinea-Bissau Football Federation was placed in the X-ray machine and the analysis quickly revealed 13 suspicious plates. Once the suitcase was opened, it was discovered that it did not contain any clothing and had only been used to hide the 13 plates that would later be confirmed to be cocaine.

Manuel Lopes was arrested and, this Wednesday, taken to the Lisbon Criminal Instruction Court to be subject to the first judicial interrogation. At this time, the coercive measures applied by the judge are not yet known.