A Portuguese man detained in the Montana operation is awaiting extradition to Spain.

Pedro Vicente, a specialist in criminal investigations from the National Anti-Corruption Office, reported on a joint operation by Portuguese and Spanish authorities aimed at dismantling an international drug trafficking and money laundering criminal network that has been operating in the EU and South America for eight years. As a result, 20 individuals were arrested and 13 searches were conducted under the guidance of Europol.

The network used stolen personal data of citizens from Colombia, Portugal, Spain, and Venezuela, suspected of laundering over 10 million euros. The network has been under investigation by Spanish authorities - Mossos d'Esquadra and the National Police - since 2021, indicating the involvement of Portuguese citizens who facilitated the transportation of money and subsequent deposits into national bank accounts belonging to Portuguese individuals with ties to the Portuguese diaspora in Latin America.