GNR raids illegal care homes in Lousada amid homicide, abuse investigation

Portugal’s National Republican Guard (GNR) has carried out a major operation in Lousada today, executing search warrants and detention orders as part of an investigation into alleged abuse, fraud, even homicide, linked to illegal care homes.

The operation targeted at least five properties in the centre of the northern Portuguese town and is connected to an investigation that began in 2024.

Authorities previously named six suspects — five women and one man — as formal defendants – and identified 20 alleged victims believed to have been housed in unlicensed residential care facilities.

According to information obtained by SIC Notícias, investigators are now examining a wider range of alleged offences, including criminal association, aggravated fraud, aggravated tax fraud, ill-treatment of vulnerable elderly people and qualified homicide.

The latest developments suggest the investigation has expanded significantly beyond the original allegations, which centred more on ‘abuse’ and the illegality of some care home operations.

Portuguese authorities have not yet released details on the number of arrests made during today’s raids,  nor have they provided further information on the suspected homicide under investigation.

The operation however has renewed concerns about the illegal care homes in Portugal, particularly facilities accommodating elderly and vulnerable residents outside the country’s regulated social care system.

The GNR investigation remains ongoing.

Source: LUSA/ SIC Notícias

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.