The Polícia Judiciária (PJ) dismantled a group on Monday, June 16, suspected of robbing banks using firearms, kidnapping, and physical violence in the southern and central regions of the country.
In a statement released to newsrooms on Thursday, the authority indicated the involvement of a criminal organization specializing in bank robberies deploying firearms, kidnapping, physical violence, and money laundering crimes.
The group had been operating since August 2024, executing bank robberies in the southern and central regions and in Lisbon, securing substantial sums of money.
On Monday, five suspects were detained following ongoing investigations by the PJ, which had previously resulted in the arrest of four other robbers on June 6, totaling nine detainees, all in the greater Lisbon area.
After being presented to the judiciary, three suspects were remanded in custody, while the remaining six—two men and four men—were placed under non-custodial measures.
So far, a substantial amount of evidence has been seized, including firearms, 11 vehicles, a motorcycle, various telecommunications equipment, computers, and about 20,000 euros in cash.
The investigation is being conducted by the Departamento de Investigação e Ação Penal (DIAP) of Santarém.
