Lisbon, Portugal – A major drug trafficking operation with ties to Spain has been dismantled in Portugal following the arrest of two Asturian men and a large-scale seizure of weapons and cocaine. Francisco Javier A. S., known as “El Tingas,” and Óscar Antonio V. F., were apprehended as part of “Operation Teia Branca/White Web,” a joint effort by Portuguese and Spanish authorities.
The operation, carried out by the Polícia Judiciária, uncovered a significant arsenal, including seven AK-47 Kalashnikov rifles and several Skorpion vz. 61 submachine guns, alongside approximately 1,500 kilograms of cocaine. Authorities also seized seven truck trailers, an equivalent number of narcolanchas (drug-running boats), 22 high-performance vehicles, five motorcycles, and falsified documentation, signaling a highly organized and well-funded criminal enterprise.
“El Tingas,” originally from Taramund, reportedly led the network, which had established branches in both Portugal and Spain. The organization utilized the Portuguese and Huelva (Spain) coasts, as well as the Guadalquivir River, to smuggle drugs into Europe. The cocaine was then transported by road throughout Spain and onward to other European destinations.
A Galician branch of the operation played a crucial role in intercepting drug shipments at sea, using narcolanchas to collect cocaine from larger “mother ships” arriving from Colombia. This branch, led by a resident of Vilanova de Arosa with a past connection to known drug trafficker Sito Miñanco, also managed the transportation of the drugs by truck. The operation utilized a network of ten industrial warehouses in northern Portugal – in Valença, Aveiro, Guarda, Lezíria do Tejo, and Setúbal – to store and maintain the narcolanchas, including the purchase of outboard motors and covert transportation to launch sites.
Authorities also uncovered a separate branch comprised of three Venezuelan nationals responsible for transporting cocaine by road in vehicles equipped with hidden compartments. These vehicles were also used to store the drugs, with some cocaine discovered in a car heading towards the Spanish border near Badajoz, and additional stashes found in vehicles with hidden compartments under the seats and in a residential property.
“El Tingas” had previously resided in A Coruña, Spain, before relocating to the Algarve region of Portugal. His second-in-command, Óscar Antonio V. F., had been previously convicted in 2008 for hashish trafficking originating in southern Spain. One associate was caught with nearly 15 kilograms of hashish at the Campomanes toll plaza. Both Asturian suspects were released pending judicial proceedings.
“Operation Linares” Connection
Portuguese authorities believe “El Tingas” may also be linked to a significant cocaine seizure in Spain during “Operation Linares” in mid-2025. This operation, hailed as the largest success of the Spanish National Police in Asturias, resulted in the arrest of seven drug traffickers and the confiscation of 304 kilograms of cocaine, valued at approximately €27 million.
The cocaine in “Operation Linares” is believed to have arrived in Portugal from Colombia, transported in vehicles with sophisticated hidden compartments – similar to those seized during “Operation Teia Branca.” This represents the largest land-based cocaine seizure in the region since the discovery of a 275-kilogram shipment near Villaviciosa, known as the “piedrona” incident.
The Polícia Judiciária’s investigation highlights the increasing sophistication of drug trafficking networks operating between South America and Europe, utilizing complex logistical operations and a significant investment in weaponry. The collaborative effort between Portuguese and Spanish law enforcement agencies underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating transnational crime.
As of March 23, 2026, investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the network and identify any additional individuals involved. Authorities are focused on tracing the origins of the cocaine and disrupting the flow of drugs into Europe. Further updates are expected from the Polícia Judiciária in the coming weeks.
Readers can find more information about the Polícia Judiciária and their work at their official website.
