In a statement, the PJ states that the five young people, aged between 17 and 21, were arrested on suspicion of “several crimes of aggravated robbery, using a firearm, possession of a prohibited weapon, trafficking of narcotics and computer fraud”.

In the same note, it is explained that the crimes were committed “in the districts of Sintra, Amadora and Lisbon, between July and November 2021”, with the five detainees being suspected of having “formed a gang” to carry out “plans for armed robberies”, targeting taxi drivers and public transport users”.

“The crimes were carried out using firearms and extreme physical and psychological violence, in order to condition the various victims to the delivery, namely, of money, mobile phones and bank cards, through which, in possession of the respective codes, they carried out withdrawals, transfers and acquisitions of goods and services”, said the PJ.

In addition to the five arrests, the PJ carried out thirteen house searches, in the residences used by the suspects, during which “evidence” was seized and some property and valuables resulting from the thefts were recovered.

The PJ also informs that a sixth suspect is already in preventive detention “due to another investigation of the same nature”.

“With this action, the Judiciary Police considers that it has dismantled an important criminal group in the Greater Lisbon area”, the PJ also says, indicating that around 60 officers were involved in this operation.