In a significant operation targeting a dangerous and illegal trade, the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro have dismantled a clandestine factory dedicated to the mass production of 'linha chilena,' a highly lethal type of kite string. The raid, conducted on Thursday in the Jacarepaguá neighborhood, uncovered a fully operational production line inside a rented house, highlighting the persistent and deadly nature of this underground industry.
The operation was a coordinated effort between the Environmental Protection Police Station (DPMA) and the Documentary Archive Police Station (DEAC). Upon entering the property in the Colônia area, officers found the machinery actively running, surrounded by a large quantity of spools, threads, and other raw materials used in the manufacturing process. The individuals present at the site were taken in for questioning, and all equipment and materials were seized and transported to the Cidade da Polícia for further investigation.
Investigators revealed that the facility had been under surveillance for approximately one month following anonymous tips. Authorities described the location as one of the largest production hubs for this illegal material in the Jacarepaguá region. The setup was sophisticated, featuring a complete manufacturing structure where threads underwent a process involving quartz to enhance their cutting ability, making them up to four times more dangerous than standard cerol-coated lines.
The economic scale of the operation was staggering. Police estimates suggest the factory was capable of producing around 50 spools per day. With each spool selling for approximately R$300, the daily revenue for the illegal enterprise could reach as high as R$15,000. This lucrative but illicit trade thrives despite the clear legal prohibitions; producing, selling, or using 'linha chilena' is a crime in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
The human cost of this illegal product was starkly illustrated during the raid. One of the men found at the scene reportedly made a chilling statement to officers, claiming that "car and motorcycle accidents kill more than linha chilena." This remark underscores a dangerous disregard for the specific and preventable harm caused by the material, which is designed to be maximally cutting.
The police action comes amid a sharp increase in reports related to the use of this deadly string. Data from the state's anonymous tip line, Disque-Denúncia, paints a troubling picture: reports surged from 561 cases in 2024 to 1,203 incidents in the following year. In the current year, from January to early May alone, 251 complaints have already been logged, indicating the problem remains pervasive.
The most tragic consequence of this illegal trade was felt just weeks before the factory raid. In April, 45-year-old business administrator Leandro Rezende Cardoso was killed while riding his motorcycle through the Cascadura neighborhood. Security camera footage captured the moment he was struck in the neck by a 'linha chilena' stretched across the road, causing him to fall from his bike. Despite being rushed to Hospital Municipal Salgado Filho, he succumbed to his injuries.
Leandro's story adds a deeply personal dimension to the crisis. According to his family, he was a widower who left behind a 15-year-old daughter and was on the verge of completing his law degree. His death is a direct result of the very product being mass-produced in the Jacarepaguá factory, connecting the clandestine operation to a real-world tragedy on the city's streets.
The dismantling of this factory represents a tactical victory for law enforcement, but the rising complaint statistics suggest the battle is far from over. The material's extreme lethality and the profitability of its production create a persistent challenge for authorities. Police continue to urge the public to report any information regarding the manufacture, sale, or use of 'linha chilena' and cerol through the anonymous Disque Denúncia hotline at 21 2253-1177 or via its website and app.
Based on reporting from g1.
