State Representative Thiego Raimundo dos Santos Silva, known as Th Jóias, is 36 years old and occupies a seat in the Rio de Janeiro Legislative Assembly (Alerj) by the MDB, after taking over in 2024 as alternate, with the death of Deputy Otoni de Paula Pai. Arrested today, he had a habeas corpus that guaranteed his mandate. Currently, he chairs the Civil Defense Commission, responsible for coordinating disaster prevention actions in the state.
Its political trajectory, however, is marked by serious complaints. He responds to cases for drug trafficking, corruption, money laundering and gang formation, as well as being suspected of intermediating weapons negotiations with the Red Command (CV). This Wednesday, he was arrested in the operation of the Federal Police, Civil Police and Public Prosecution Service of Rio de Janeiro. At least 18 people were the target of warrants, including a direct advisor to the deputy, who was arrested as well.
Despite the criminal history, Th launched into politics by the MDB, which, after his arrest, announced that he would expel him from the party. In 2022, he received 15,105 votes, being as alternate. Two years later, he won the definitive vacancy at Alerj, after obtaining habeas corpus that guaranteed him to respond to lawsuits. The Public Prosecution Service states that the parliamentarian would have used the mandate to benefit the criminal faction, appointing allies in positions in the Assembly.
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Investigations point out a corruption scheme involving CV leadership in the German complex and political and public agents, including a PF delegate, military police, former municipal secretary and the deputy himself. According to the investigators, the “organization infiltrated the public administration to ensure impunity and access to confidential information, as well as importing weapons from Paraguay and China’s anti-drug equipment, resold even for rival factions.” Investigators may be responsible for criminal organization, international arms and drug trafficking, active and passive corruption and money laundering.
From jewelry to politics
Born in Morro do Fubá, in the North Zone of Rio, Th has inherited from his father, Juberto, the Office of Ourives. He grew up following the family’s work in Madureira and, at the age of 19, took over the deal. Transformed the jewelry store into a mark of ostentation, which won celebrities such as Neymar, Vini Jr., Adriano Imperador, Ludmilla and MC Gui. Neymar, for example, paid $ 45,000 for a yellow gold necklace and studded with over 500 diamond stones. Subsequent investigations pointed out that part of the pieces was made with stolen gold.
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At the same time, TH sought to expand its influence sponsoring feijoadas, football championships, parties in communities and carnival cabins, always associated with an image of successful and generous entrepreneur. He also funded social projects in slums and supported athletes and musicians. In his profile on the Alerj website, still linked to the MDB, he states that “with his own resources, he supported hundreds of amateur and professional athletes, as well as rising artists.” His approach to politics occurred through former police officer Marcos Falcon, then President of Portela, murdered in 2016 during a campaign for councilman.
Prison and Investigations
In 2017, TH was arrested by the Drug Fighting Police Station (DCOD), accused of being one of the leading articulators of Rio’s drugs and weapons. Investigations revealed that it worked with the three rival factions of the state – Red Command, Pure Command and Friends of Friends (ADA) – Washing money and controlling part of criminal accounting.
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Telephone interceptions showed dialogues in which he negotiated weapons and drugs, as well as payments to traffickers. In messages obtained by the police, it was even named Danúbia de Souza Rangel, then wife of Nem da Rocinha, as a beneficiary of values passed on by factions.
In the operation, four luxury cars were seized – including a Jaguar and two Land Rover – as well as jewelry, money and real estate. The investigation pointed out that money laundering was done through restaurants in Madureira, facade companies, international travel, designer clothing, resorts and taxi autonomies. Civil and military police were also identified in the scheme, including Carlinhos Pitbull and Renato Zille Cardoso, who received bribes to warn of police operations.
From prison to mandate
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Even with the judicial history, TH obtained 15,105 votes in 2022, being as alternate. In 2024, he won the definitive vacancy after getting habeas corpus to respond to proceedings in freedom.
Today, he returns to the center of investigations, accused of using his mandate to favor criminal factions.
