(IDEX Online) - Portuguese soldiers serving with UN peace-keeping forces in Central African Republic (CAR) are alleged to have used military planes to smuggle diamonds, gold and drugs to Europe.Over 300 police were involved in the execution of 100 arrest warrants last week in a series of raids at addresses across Portugal.As many as 90,000 people are involved in small-scale diamond production in CAR - an industry closely linked to the violent conflict and political instability that have long plagued the country."A criminal network with international connections is under investigation, which is dedicated to obtaining illicit profits through diamond and gold smuggling, drug trafficking, counterfeiting and passing of counterfeit currency," the Portuguese police force said in a statement.A total of 180 Portuguese soldiers are deployed as peacekeepers in CAR.