The Judicial Police (PJ) carried out 26 searches in Lisbon and Funchal in an operation investigating suspected fraud of about €3.6 million in European funds allocated to reforestation projects in Madeira. Authorities have identified seven defendants — five people and two companies — and the case is being led by the European Public Prosecutor's Office. Those working with EU funds or public procurement in Madeira should expect further legal activity and possible disruptions to affected projects.
Searches in Madeira probe €3.6m EU‑fund fraud
Wednesday, 25 February 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The PJ (Polícia Judiciária) is Portugal's national criminal investigation police agency, founded in 1945. Operating under the Ministry of Justice and supervised by the Public Ministry (prosecutors), the PJ is a "higher criminal police body" specializing in serious and complex crimes. Mission: The PJ assists judicial and prosecuting authorities by investigating terrorism, organized crime, homicide, kidnapping, drug trafficking, corruption, cybercrime, financial crime, and money laundering. It conducts forensic examinations, operates Portugal's Interpol and Europol liaison offices, and maintains specialized units including the National Counterterrorism Unit and National Anti-Corruption Unit. Difference from PSP/GNR: While PSP (civilian urban police) and GNR (military rural police) focus on preventive policing, public order, and investigating minor crimes, the PJ exclusively handles serious crime investigation requiring specialized technical and scientific expertise. PSP and GNR report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs; PJ reports to the Ministry of Justice. PJ officers receive higher pay and prestige but face greater operational risk.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) is an EU-level body set up to investigate and prosecute crimes that affect the EU budget, such as subsidy fraud, corruption and money laundering; it became operational on 1 June 2021. Its involvement in a case means investigations can be coordinated across participating EU countries, which matters when judicial police searches target suspected misuse of EU funds.
6 sources
- Operation "Burnt Earth": Searches for Suspects of Fraud in Fund Acquisition in MadeiraECO ·
- Searches in Madeira over suspected fraud with European fundsObservador ·
- PJ conducts searches over suspected fraud of 3.6 million in MadeiraPúblico ·
- Seven defendants in investigation of fraud in obtaining funds in Madeira with damages exceeding 3.6 million eurosDinheiro Vivo ·
- Operation 'Burnt Earth' investigates €3.6 million fraud in EU-funded reforestation projects in MadeiraExpresso ·
- Operation "Scorched Earth": Seven defendants under investigation for €3.6 million fraud with European funds in MadeiraCNN Portugal ·
