The group branded a 23-year-old rival with a hot iron whom they kidnapped in Vale da Amoreira, Moita, to steal gold, silver and jewellery. They demanded a ransom from the family of the deceased and only after 23 days, when they realized that the boy did not have any valuables after all, they released him.
Seven members of the group were arrested last November by the National Counter-Terrorism Unit of the SP and are now accused by prosecutors of kidnapping, drug trafficking, attempted murder and possession of prohibited weapons.
Between May and November they kidnapped three men at different times in Barreiro and Sintra, always with the aim of forcing them through attacks and threats with firearms to hand over goods and sums of money, leaving them with permanent scars and injuries.