The Portuguese Judicial Police (PJ) announced the seizure of nearly €5 million in cash from suitcases aboard a private jet arriving from Guinea-Bissau at Lisbon's Figo Maduro Military Airport. The operation took place on Sunday, December 15, 2025, leading to the arrest of a man closely associated with deposed Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló on charges of smuggling and money laundering.
The private aircraft carried several passengers, including the wife of former President Embaló, who authorities questioned but did not detain. Investigators discovered the cash during a targeted inspection, hidden in luggage belonging to the arrested individual, described as a Guinean businessman and key ally of Embaló. The PJ suspects the funds relate to corruption and illicit activities tied to Embaló's regime, which ended abruptly following a military coup in November 2025.
"This arrest underscores our commitment to combating international money laundering and smuggling," stated a PJ spokesperson. "We will continue to investigate the origins of these funds and any connections to foreign political figures." The detainee remains in custody pending further proceedings, with authorities probing potential links to Embaló's reported alliances, including ties to Russia.
Embaló, ousted amid political turmoil, fled to Senegal and later to the Republic of Congo, where he sought asylum options, possibly in Portugal. This incident highlights ongoing instability in Guinea-Bissau and raises questions about the flow of illicit funds from the West African nation.