Daycare center at the center of a drug trafficking network: director arrested with cocaine

The technical and pedagogical director of a daycare center in northern Portugal was arrested for alleged involvement in drug trafficking, in a case that is causing a strong impact on the local community. During searches carried out by the Judicial Police (PJ), "large quantities of cocaine" were found in the director's office.

The defendant, Ana Sofia Teixeira, worked at an institution belonging to the São José Association, linked to the Church, which publicly expressed total surprise at the facts. In a statement released this Tuesday, the association assures that there was never any indication that would raise suspicions about the employee's conduct. "Both the management bodies, as well as workers, members and users received the news with enormous surprise," the statement says, adding that "there was never the slightest sign that could call into question her honorability." The institution also states that it is completely unaware of any illicit acts that may have been committed by the defendant, as well as being unaware of any such acts. whether your facilities have been used for such purposes.

The arrest took place last Thursday, April 16th, in the Baixo Minho region, as part of an operation conducted by the PJ (Judicial Police) of Braga. According to the authorities, Ana Sofia Teixeira is allegedly part of a drug trafficking network along with her partner, Ricardo Rodrigues, and Luís da Silva, a former MMA athlete from Vitória Sport Clube, known as “Pinho”.

The three suspects have been in pre-trial detention since Friday, April 17, and are indicted for crimes related to drug trafficking. The investigation points to the existence of an organized scheme that has been operating since 2025, with links to a supplier known as "Vítor do Ouro".

According to the data gathered, the group acquired slabs of cocaine weighing approximately one kilogram, which were subsequently prepared and distributed through a structured network. Authorities also suspect that the defendant not only participated in the operations but also used the daycare center where she worked to store the drugs.

The case takes on particularly sensitive dimensions due to the alleged involvement of a children's shelter, raising concerns about the safety and oversight of these facilities.