Court releases suspect accused of killing drug trafficking rival.

A 23-year-old man had been on the run for seven months after shooting a 28-year-old man in April during a turf war related to drug trafficking in Quinta da Lage, Amadora. After arrest warrants were issued by the Polícia Judiciária (Judicial Police), the suspect was located and detained by the PSP (Public Security Police) – but for illegal stay in Portugal. He appeared in court and was eventually released, only to be apprehended by the PJ.

The incident occurred at 3 PM on April 1, 2024, in the Quinta da Lage neighborhood. After being ambushed, the victim was shot in the stomach and staggered to near some houses, where he asked residents for help, as described by the Jornal de Notícias. The wounded man was immediately transported to the São Francisco de Xavier Hospital, where he died.

Simultaneously, the authorities went to the scene of the homicide, but did not find the suspect. "The investigations carried out after learning of the crime allowed us to establish that the crime committed was related to illicit activities connected to drug trafficking, namely the dispute over spaces for the retail sale of narcotics," explained the PJ (Judicial Police) in a statement released this Wednesday.

Investigators were able to identify the perpetrator of the fatal shooting, who "fled the flight," leading the PJ (Judicial Police) to issue "a request for his whereabouts and national and European arrest warrants outside of flagrant offense."

Last Sunday, the suspect was located by the PSP (Public Security Police) and arrested in the act, but for the crime of illegal stay in the country. He appeared in court for that crime and was released. Subsequently, the man was arrested again, this time by the PJ (Judicial Police), "on suspicion of committing the crimes of homicide and use of a prohibited weapon."

Appearing before the judicial authorities in the Lisbon West – Amadora district for questioning on Tuesday, he was placed in pre-trial detention.