The eight arrests in the city of Portimão occurred on Wednesday, notably including two citizens who were illegally residing in the country and who were in possession of two cell phones stolen on the beach, the PSP indicated in a statement.

The remaining six detainees were intercepted after illegally entering an unoccupied dwelling by breaking and entering, the police specified.

Following the police intervention, six electric scooters were seized, two of which were "identified as the product of thefts registered" in the previous days, and investigations are underway to determine the origin of the others.

The PSP also revealed that it recovered three stolen vehicles and seized more than 1,000 litres of fuel during operations on 9 and 10 June in the cities of Tavira and Olhão.

According to the police, in an operation launched on 9 June following a complaint, a vehicle parked in a residential area was located and seized, containing several plastic containers of fuel.

The vehicle had false license plates, and the officers confirmed that it was a stolen car, the PSP stated.

The evidence gathered suggests that the vehicle was used to provide logistical support to supply vessels allegedly involved in the maritime transport of illicit goods.

The incident led to an alert being issued to all sub-units of the Faro district command, and a second stolen vehicle was located the same day in the city of Olhão, with fuel containers inside.

On Wednesday, a third vehicle, also stolen, with identical characteristics and containing stored fuel, was identified in Tavira, according to the statement.

Police investigations are ongoing to determine any possible links to illicit activities associated with the maritime transport of illegal goods, the PSP concludes.