Rio Police Dismantle R$27.4M Criminal Network Linked to Comando VermelhoThe Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro launched a new phase of Operation Contenção on Wednesday, targeting the territorial expansion and money laundering structure of the Comando Vermelho (CV) faction. This latest action focused on dismantling a network of stolen materials receptation, particularly copper cables, operating from scrap yards in central Rio.
Scale of the OperationAccording to investigators, this criminal cycle moved R$27.4 million, which was used to purchase firearms and maintain the faction's territorial control. Agents from the Delegacia de Roubos e Furtos (DRF) executed 80 search and seizure warrants at addresses linked to 50 suspects.
The operation extended beyond the capital to include Niterói, Duque de Caxias, Magé, and Italva. Police identified the group as being based in the Fallet-Fogueteiro, Prazeres, and Morro da Coroa communities.
Key Targets and ResistanceOf the 50 individuals identified, 13 already had outstanding arrest warrants and were considered fugitives. Teams executing warrants in the favela complex were met with gunfire, resulting in one officer being shot in the hand.
The Civil Police identified Paulo Cesar Batista de Castro, known as Paulinho Fogueteiro, as the head of the criminal organization. Another target is Wesley Paes de Souza, linked to the scheme's financial operations.
Online Criminal ActivitiesPolice reported that some suspects used social media to display weapons, drugs, alcohol, and cash. Delegado Thiago Neves stated that he had uncovered a "criminal governance" of Comando Vermelho exploiting "diverse economic activities."
"We also identified an 'online delivery' service where they openly sold any type of drugs on the internet, promising delivery anywhere in Rio de Janeiro," Neves highlighted.