The PSP made 10 arrests during the Afro Nation Festival, which took place from 26th to 30th June in Praia da Rocha, Portimão and attracted around 35,000 each day.
According to the police, the arrests resulted from crimes of drug trafficking, resistance and coersion against an employee, driving without a legal license and speculation.
Five reports were also issued for offences due to possession of a narcotic product and sale and/or possession of nitrous oxide.
In total, the PSP seized 458 doses of marijuana, 504 doses of cocaine, 245 doses of amphetamines, 400 doses of hashish, 74 canisters of nitrous oxide and €1424 in cash, which police suspect came from drug trafficking.
Policing of the event involved, “around 200 police officers from its various departments, committed daily, whose actions aimed to guarantee public order, the management of road traffic and the prevention of criminal activities that generate a feeling of insecurity in the community”.
One Algarve Daily News reader that visited the festival this year said:
"I have visited the Afro Nation event a couple of times now over the years and feel an urge to write a complaint. The event is unfortunately surrounded by drugs and prostitution, and does not present a nice image of the beautiful Algarve region. I talked to some local police and they confirmed my observations. Why is Algarve not celebrating European Nation instead, or even the lovely Algarve itself? The food, the wine, the rich history and culture. Algarve does not need to celebrate foreign cultures that promote drugs and sexual promiscuity. I think the Afro Nation event is a disaster for the Algarve brand. Algarve would be better suitable to celebrate family values and I’m sure it would also attract better financial results." - F. Johansson from Stockholm, Sweden.
