Criminal Investigation Police detain suspect in Vale de Judeus escape and seize two Kalashnikovs and €32,500
The Criminal Investigation Police have arrested a 43-year-old man suspected of having collaborated in the escape of five inmates from Vale de Judeus prison in September 2024.
Operation "Sapatada" results in arrest and seizure of military weapons
The Criminal Investigation Police (PJ) arrested a 43-year-old man as part of operation "Sapatada", launched by the National Counter-Terrorism Unit, reports ovilaverdense.pt. The suspect, of Portuguese nationality, is charged with having collaborated in the escape of five inmates from Vale de Judeus Prison, which occurred on 7 September 2024.
In a statement released this Tuesday, the PJ indicates that the detainee is strongly suspected of committing the crimes of freeing prisoners and possession of prohibited weapons.
The operation included seven house searches in the Greater Lisbon region and the establishment of 25 suspects, as part of a series of actions aimed at gathering new evidence and consolidating the investigation already carried out by the authorities.
During the searches, investigators seized two light vehicles, two automatic weapons of the Kalashnikov type, ammunition of various calibres, electronic equipment capable of interfering with radio communications, GPS signals and other transmission systems. Two radio communication devices with military characteristics, two tactical helmets, one ballistic vest, one ammunition reloading press and approximately €32,500 in cash were also collected.
The PJ classifies all seized materials as having "clear evidential relevance" for the full clarification of the facts under investigation.
The operation mobilised investigators from the National Counter-Terrorism Unit, with support from the North, Central and South directorates of the PJ, the Criminal Investigation Department of Vila Real and the Armament and Security Unit.
According to the Criminal Investigation Police, the investigation seeks to clarify all circumstances of the escape of the five inmates, who were recaptured between October 2024 and February 2025. The arrested suspect will appear before the competent judicial authority on Wednesday for his initial court interrogation, where the preventive measures to be applied will be determined.
The Vale de Judeus escape in September 2024 triggered one of the largest manhunts in recent years in Portugal, leading authorities to investigate possible networks of logistical support to the inmates during the escape and the period in which they remained at large.
Source: Google News PT — Crime (pt)