Portugal's Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, has authorized the country's Judicial Police (PJ) to use assets confiscated from a major drug trafficker known as "Xuxas," according to SIC Notícias. The authorization reportedly extends beyond a single vehicle to include other property seized from the suspect.
The decision has drawn attention after reports emerged that Neves himself was seen driving a car that had been seized from the trafficker. The Portuguese news outlet Observador raised questions about whether Neves was using the vehicle, while Público reported that he continues to use the car requisitioned from the PJ.
According to Expresso, Neves has been linked to the use of multiple state resources, including a PJ vehicle, a Portuguese Air Force plane, and an Intercidades train operated by national rail company CP. The reports suggest the minister's access to these assets has become a topic of public scrutiny.
The case centers on "Xuxas," described in the reports as one of Portugal's most significant drug traffickers. The seizure of his assets was part of ongoing law enforcement efforts against organized crime, and the decision to repurpose those assets for official use has raised questions about protocol and public perception.
Jornal de Negócios highlighted the unusual nature of the situation, noting that the interior minister has been driving a car that was confiscated from a convicted drug dealer. The reports do not specify which additional assets beyond the vehicle were authorized for police use, nor do they detail the legal framework under which the authorization was granted.
Observers will be watching for any official response from the ministry or the PJ regarding the scope of the asset-use authorization and whether any internal review is planned.
