Portimão: PSP detained 15 people at the Afro Nation Festival

The Afro Nation Festival , which took place in Portimão between the 9th and 12th of July, was attended daily by around 50,000 participants of various nationalities, and the District Command of the Public Security Police ( PSP ) set up a Security Operation appropriate to its magnitude.

"The increased police presence, combined with a continuous and effective surveillance strategy, ensured that the festival took place without any public order incidents or events that could compromise the safety of participants, residents or visitors," the PSP reported in a press release.

"The general atmosphere of calm that was observed is, for us, evidence of the effectiveness of the prevention actions, rapid intervention and coordination between the different police forces involved," the same document also reads.

This is not the first time this event has taken place, "we were aware that its size makes it attractive for a range of criminal and illicit activities, to which the police officers assigned to this Operation were permanently and especially attentive", the PSP notes.

In this sense, during the three days of Afro Nation , 15 suspects were arrested for various reasons, including illegal possession of a firearm, drug trafficking, illegal exercise of private security activities, driving without a legal license and driving under the influence of alcohol.

In addition to the arrests, several infractions related to the consumption of illicit substances and economic activities carried out in commercial spaces in Praia da Rocha were detected.

"We believe that the joint effort made by the PSP and other public and private entities involved in the event was very successful, ensuring that every day of the festival took place under the best possible conditions of tranquility and safety," the statement said.

"We publicly thank everyone involved for their collaboration and reaffirm our commitment to continue working resolutely to promote the safety and well-being of all citizens," concludes the PSP.