Drug trafficking network in Lisbon operated from 19 meeting points
PSP investigation mapped dozens of locations in the metropolitan area where the organisation led by Nuno Ricardo commercialised psychedelic substances.
Drug trafficking network in Lisbon operated from 19 meeting points
PSP agents uncovered a vast drug distribution network in Greater Lisbon, headed by Nuno Ricardo and his associate Leonel Nhaga. During a year of surveillance, police recorded transactions at approximately 19 different locations, which included squares, food and beverage establishments, shopping centres, bars in Costa da Caparica and festival grounds.
According to Observador, business was conducted by mobile telephone in brief conversations where the merchandise, quantity, value and delivery location were defined. To avoid detection, the group used coded language: cocaine and other drugs such as MDMA, LSD, 2C-B and ketamine were referred to by disguised names such as "bitola", "the usual", "thing" or "little bag".
Police were sometimes able to follow the movements of traffickers in real time. In one such operation, in July 2024, Leonel delivered cocaine to a buyer in an area near the PSP station in Rato, located less than 100 metres away from the location. Shortly afterwards, on Calçada do Combro, he carried out another transaction in exchange for 100 euros.
The prices charged depended on the client. One gramme of cocaine was sold for 50 to 60 euros, whilst each unit of MDMA or LSD was sold for values between 5 and 10 euros.
Participation in the network extended to family. Lucinda Santos, mother of Nuno Ricardo, was also caught by police at a petrol station in Marvila, where it is suspected that she delivered cocaine to one of the buyers.
At the end of May, both leaders were convicted of drug trafficking. Nuno Ricardo will serve an effective prison sentence, whilst Leonel Nhaga received a suspended sentence.
Source: Google News PT — Crime (pt)