Over $2 Million in Weapons Seized in Deadly Rio Anti-Drug Operation

Authorities in Rio de Janeiro have seized more than $2 million worth of weapons during a recent anti-drug operation that has been described as the deadliest in Brazil’s history. The state government confirmed on Saturday that the police raid, conducted on Tuesday, resulted in the deaths of at least 117 suspected criminals and four police officers. This operation targeted the notorious gang known as Comando Vermelho, which has a significant presence in the region.

The Rio de Janeiro state government reported that this raid led to “one of the largest seizures” of military-grade weapons in a single day. Authorities confiscated a total of 120 weapons, including 93 rifles, valued at approximately 12.8 million reais (around $2.4 million). The cache also included ammunition, explosives, drugs, and military equipment, illustrating the scale of the operation against the gang.

International Arms and Human Rights Concerns

Some of the seized weapons were traced back to various countries, including Argentina, Belgium, Germany, Peru, Russia, and Venezuela. Among them were models typically associated with conflict zones, such as the AK-47 and the FAL. Notably, some rifles even belonged to foreign militaries, prompting Rio de Janeiro Civil Police Secretary Felipe Curi to remark, “We are looking at an arsenal typical of a war scenario.”

Curi indicated that authorities would investigate the routes used by criminal organizations to smuggle these weapons into Rio de Janeiro, highlighting concerns over the international arms trade. As the operation unfolded, it drew sharp criticism from human rights organizations, with calls from the United Nations for a thorough investigation into the events. Relatives of victims accused police of committing summary executions, with some reports describing horrific scenes, including a decapitated body witnessed by an AFP journalist on the scene.

Public Opinion and Political Response

Despite the controversy, public opinion appears to favor the operation. Polls indicate that a majority of Brazilians support the police action, which state Governor Claudio Castro labelled a success in the fight against “narco-terrorism.” President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, often criticized for his approach to crime, has emphasized a stronger stance against organized crime in the wake of the raid.

In a statement on the social media platform X, Lula asserted, “We cannot accept that organized crime continues to destroy families, oppress residents, and spread drugs and violence throughout the cities.” In response to the escalating violence, Lula has proposed a bill to Congress that aims to impose a 30-year prison sentence for members of criminal gangs. Furthermore, on Thursday, he enacted new measures designed to bolster the fight against organized crime, signaling a shift in his administration’s approach to tackling this pressing issue.

As the investigation progresses, the implications of this raid extend beyond law enforcement, touching on international arms control, public safety, and the balance between effective policing and human rights.