18-04-2017
AdC carried out dawn raids in 15 companies since January
Press release 4/2017
AdC carried out dawn raids in 15 companies since January
Since the beginning of 2017, the Portuguese Competition Authority (AdC) carried out dawn raids in fifteen companies of Lisbon and Porto to investigate potential infringements to competition law.
The anti-competitive practices under investigation have the potential to affect different economic sectors with a direct impact on the final consumer.
The dawn raids took place in eight municipalities in a total of 60 days and involved more than twenty AdC case handlers and twenty police officers.
The proceedings are being kept confidential to safeguard the ongoing investigations but in one case, in the river cruises sector in the area of Porto, this confidentiality was lifted after the dawn raids.
The dawn raids are carried out under warrants issued by the Department of Criminal Investigation and Prosecution (DIAP).
Throughout 2016, the AdC carried out dawn raids in thirteen locations of nine companies. The intensification of its investigative action is in line with the priorities set by the AdC for 2017.
The fact that the AdC carries out such inspections may not mean that the companies are guilty of anti-competitive behaviour nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation.
The breach of competition rules not only reduces consumer welfare but it also harms the competitiveness of companies and, consequently, the economy as a whole.
18 April 2017
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