Son of Vale de Judeus escapee detained in Lisbon in "Sapatada" operation
The Judicial Police detained in Lisbon the son of Fernando Ribeiro Ferreira, one of five inmates who escaped from Vale de Judeus in 2024. Two Kalashnikov rifles, 32,500 euros and seven search warrants were obtained during the operation.
"Sapatada" operation results in detention and seizure of military weaponry
The Judicial Police detained on Wednesday in Greater Lisbon a 43-year-old Portuguese national suspected of having collaborated in the escape of five inmates from Vale de Judeus prison in September 2024, reports dnoticias.pt. The detained man is the son of Fernando Ribeiro Ferreira, one of the five prisoners who escaped from Alcoentre prison and who was later recaptured in Trás-os-Montes.
The operation, named "Sapatada" and conducted by the Central Section for Combating Banditry of the National Counter-Terrorism Unit, involved approximately 70 investigators from various units and national directorates. Seven search warrants were also carried out and 25 suspects were constituted.
"The Judicial Police proceeded today in the Greater Lisbon area with the detention of a Portuguese national man aged 43, against whom there are strong indications of the commission of the crimes of prisoner escape and possession of prohibited weapons," the Judicial Police communicated in an official statement.
The material seized during the operation includes two light vehicles, two automatic firearms of the Kalashnikov type, ammunition of various calibres, electronic equipment capable of interfering with radio communications, mobile communications and GPS signals, two radios with military characteristics, two tactical helmets, a ballistic vest and a press intended for ammunition reloading. Approximately 32,500 euros in cash were also found, as well as documents and other elements of evidentiary relevance.
According to the Judicial Police, the objective of the operation was to identify those involved in the escape, consolidate and gather evidence related to the evasion of 7 September 2024. The detained man will be heard in a first judicial interrogation for the application of coercive measures.
The Vale de Judeus escape involved five inmates: Argentine Rodolfo Lohrmann, British Mark Roscaleer, Georgian Shergili Farjiani and Portuguese nationals Fábio Loureiro and Fernando Ribeiro Ferreira. The five were serving sentences between seven and 25 years imprisonment for crimes of drug trafficking, criminal association, robbery, kidnapping and money laundering, amongst others.
All were recaptured by the authorities between 6 October 2024 and 6 February 2025.
Source: Google News PT — Crime (pt)