Portuguese medical industry under criminal investigation

The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Portugal has launched a large-scale operation, dubbed « Operation Erva Daninha » (weed), referring to several licensed medical cannabis companies across the country.

This coordinated operation, which resulted in 64 search and seizure warrants and spread from the north of the country to Madeira, is part of an ongoing investigation into a alleged international cannabis trafficking. To date, four arrests have been confirmed, but authorities stress that the investigation is ongoing.

An operation of unusual scale

The May 20, 2025, more than 300 inspectors, accompanied by judges, prosecutors, and forensic experts, have been deployed in several regions of Portugal, including Fundão, Évora, Bragança and Alto Minho, in order to search the premises of companies authorized to produce and export medical cannabis.

According to a press release from the Criminal Investigation Division, this operation is part of a broader international investigation conducted in collaboration with the authorities Spanish, Bulgarian, and Cypriot, where additional search warrants were executed.

This operation follows a complex investigation launched on early 2022.

As reported RTP According to an official statement from the PJ, the alleged criminal network is said to have exploited regulatory loopholes in Portugal’s medical cannabis export system. It allegedly «acquired pharmaceutical companies, then created commercial entities authorized to wholesale, import, and export medical cannabis, ultimately shipping several thousand kilograms of cannabis to illicit markets using forged documents and certificates.».

Targeted companies: cooperation despite suspicions

Although CannaForest and Herdade das Barrocas were among the companies raided, their legal status remains unclear. In an interview granted to CannaReporter®, Jorge Godinho, CEO of Herdade das Barrocas, confirmed the raid and expressed his full cooperation with the authorities:

«We have provided all the information requested by the Criminal Investigation Division and we are very confident. We are a well-organized company that has always operated with rigor and in compliance with the strictest standards.»

Similarly, Christophe Bourrier, CannaForest’s chief financial officer, said:

«We provided them with everything they asked for, from financial reports to import and export certificates… everything is in compliance with the inspection conducted by Infarmed.»

The two leaders expressed their willingness to cooperate and emphasized that the search did not imply any wrongdoing.

International dimensions and drug seizures

The investigation is part of broader concerns regarding drug trafficking networks who use Portugal as a hub to transport large quantities of cannabis to the European and African illicit markets. According to the Criminal Investigation Division, the first phase of the investigation had already led to the seizure of approximately 1,200 kilograms of amphetamines, as well as synthetic drugs such as 3-CMC and the 3-MMC.

Authorities believe that this trafficking exploited «loopholes and vulnerabilities in Portugal’s system for monitoring and controlling medical cannabis exports,» as stated in the PJ’s press release. By posing as legitimate players in a rapidly growing but strictly regulated sector, the group allegedly introduced products into illegal channels under the guise of medical cannabis exports.

Is the industry in danger?

Portugal has established itself as a strategic hub for the the cultivation and export of medical cannabis, attracting international investment thanks to its favorable business climate and regulatory framework. The’Operation Erva Daninha now casts a shadow over the industry’s credibility.

Companies are concerned not only about the’impact on public opinion, but also of the’Portugal's future as a trusted partner in the European medical cannabis market. Many voices in the industry are warning that the guilt by association could harm the reputation businesses, even those that comply with the law.

As the investigation progresses, the DCIAP (Central Directorate for Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions) is working closely with its European counterparts to dismantle the alleged network and prevent further abuses of Portugal’s cannabis regulatory framework.

What next?

Although a press conference initially scheduled by the criminal investigation department has been canceled, authorities say that information will continue to be released through written statements. The Portuguese justice system appears determined to get to the bottom of this operation and address regulatory shortcomings.

At this time, no formal charges have been made public, and the names of those arrested are not known. As the investigation is still ongoing, other companies could be under investigation, although legal experts point out that the searches do not constitute proof of guilt.

Operation Erva Daninha could ultimately mark a turning point for Portugal’s medical cannabis industry, leading to a review of oversight mechanisms, export controls, and certification systems in order to ensure transparency and prevent future abuses.