On Wednesday, the PNP and the Spanish Civil Guard dismantled an international criminal gang that carried out brutal robberies across a large area of northern Portugal, which “brought in” more than two million euros, as announced this Monday.
In a statement, GNR said the joint operation began in November 2021 after a “significant increase” in the practice of violent robberies inside residential buildings was discovered in northern Portugal.
In February 2022, the first stage of the police operation took place: a search in the area of O Rosal, Pontevedra, Spain, and the arrest of two people of Albanian origin in the Portuguese town of Vila Nova de Cerveira, Viana do district. Castelo.
According to the GNR, members of the group had their base in a house located in a rural area, “with multiple entry and exit options, making it easier for them to hide and escape.”
“To travel, the persons used previously stolen vehicles with false license plates,” the report also says.
Also, according to GNR, the robberies took place in Portugal, with pre-selected residences focusing on gold jewellery, cash and luxury brand clothing or accessories.
According to GNR, the suspects would break into any existing safes and travel over 100 kilometers to commit the crimes.
The proceeds from the robberies and the tools used to commit the crimes were hidden in a forested area of the town of Vila Nova de Cerveira.
“Modus operandi”, which according to the GNR meant “high professionalism and dexterity”.
The total value of the stolen goods reached two million euros.
At the first stage of the operation, carried out at the end of February 2022, two of the three members of the group were arrested, and the third managed to escape.
In this first phase, two men of Albanian origin “with extensive criminal histories” were arrested and placed in preventive detention, the most serious of coercive measures.
Several items were also seized, including jewelry, luxury accessories, cash, computer equipment, a frequency suppressor, walkie-talkies, tools and two vehicles.
“Following the issuance of several European orders of investigation by the judicial authorities of Portugal and Spain, carried out by the GNR and the Guardia Civil, as well as an exhaustive analysis of documentation, it was possible to establish the existence of two accomplices in the province of Valencia, assisting the persons who provided them with logistical and documentary support, facilitated the placement of suspects through the rental of temporary housing and the provision of vehicles,” the statement also said.
Subsequently, on April 10, 2024, with the support of Europol, GNR and the Guardia Civil, a second phase of the operation was carried out with the aim of searching for housing and identifying two women in the province of Valencia as accomplices of the criminal group.”
The operation also resulted in the seizure of several documents considered fundamental to the process, such as cell phones and computer equipment, as well as approximately €6,000 worth of banknotes, which were separated and hidden in one of the rooms.
“As a result of the operation, this international criminal group, which was engaged in committing domestic robberies, was recognized as liquidated,” the statement said.