The police also seized over 19 kilograms of cocaine worth around two million euros.

In a statement the police said the suspects, aged 27 to 35, were part of a “highly organised” group with a “well defined hierarchy.”

The drugs were brought in from Venezuela on commercial flights and distributed throughout greater Lisbon, in Odivelas, Loures, Lisbon and Amadora, as well as in northern and central Portugal.

Two of the suspects were ground staff at Lisbon airport and were caught red-handed.