Local media reported that judicial authorities launched dozens of raids across Portugal on Monday mainly targeting a special forces regiment.

"What we are looking into now is the possibility that some soldiers taking part in the National Detached Force in CAR were used as couriers in the trafficking of diamonds, gold and drugs," suspected of being transported on military planes, the army said in a statement.

The probe followed a tipoff from the special force's command, which was informed in December 2019 of the possible involvement of Portuguese soldiers in diamond trafficking.

Portuguese media said the dragnet targets a dozen suspects, including active duty troops and ex-soldiers, with searches planned in around 100 sites in the Lisbon area as well as in Portugal's second city Porto, northeastern Braganca and northern Vila Real.

A total of 180 Portuguese soldiers are deployed in the former French colony as peacekeepers with the UN mission there known by its French acronym MINUSCA.

The Central African Republic is rich in gold, diamonds and other minerals but crippled by poverty, conflict and sectarian violence.