Rio Police Target Comando Vermelho's Money Laundering NetworkThe Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro initiated a new phase of Operation Contenção on Wednesday, aiming to dismantle a money laundering and stolen goods reception network linked to the Comando Vermelho (CV) criminal faction. The operation focused on disrupting a system that allegedly financed weapons purchases and helped maintain the group's territorial control.
Agents from the Delegacia de Roubos e Furtos (DRF) executed 80 search and seizure warrants across addresses linked to 50 suspects. The action spanned Rio de Janeiro's capital and the municipalities of Niterói, Duque de Caxias, Magé, and Italva. According to investigators, the group was based in the communities of Fallet-Fogueteiro, Prazeres, and Morro da Coroa.
Of the 50 individuals identified, 13 already had outstanding arrest warrants and are considered fugitives. Teams executing warrants in the favela complex were met with gunfire, resulting in one officer being shot in the hand.
The investigation began following a tip about a scrapyard linked to drug trafficking. As inquiries advanced, police identified that this and other scrapyards were part of a larger system integrated into the CV. Investigators described the trafficking scheme as having a structured hierarchy, including leadership, management, armed security, logistics operators, a financial core, and a stolen goods reception network.
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 core. Police also stated that some of the suspects used social media to display weapons, drugs, alcohol, and cash.