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In the early hours of Tuesday (28/10), integrated teams from the Civil Police and Military Police launched Operation Containment in the Penha and Alemão complexes. (CV) and encountered intense armed resistance.
The Weapons and Explosives Inspection Coordination (CFAE) of the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro (PCERJ) estimates the value of the arsenal at R$12.8 million; Adding ammunition, magazines and sights, the estimated loss to Comando Vermelho could reach that amount.
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In addition to the rifles, pistols, explosives, a large quantity of ammunition and drugs were collected. The parts will be inspected to identify routes and suppliers; weapons in good condition can be reused by security forces.
“Frankenstein Rifles”
One part is of foreign origin and the other is made up of weapons assembled in Brazil from imported parts, the so-called “Frankenstein rifles”.
The investigations will now focus on the origin of the weapons and the routes of entry into the country. Authorities also reported the seizure of pistols, explosives and tons of drugs; The weapons will be examined to identify suppliers and international links.
The state government described the operation as one of the largest seizures of weapons of war ever carried out in a single day in the state. There are variations in figures and reports between vehicles and official sources regarding the numbers of prisoners and deaths — which is why authorities continue to update the data.
Seized rifles
AR-15
- Typical caliber: .223 Rem / 5.56×45 mm (varies depending on version).
- Capacity: 20–30 round magazines (varies).
- Use: semi-automatic carbine/rifle or fire selector — popular in civilian and military versions.
- Note: Many seized examples may be locally assembled variants or compatible parts.
AK-47
- Typical caliber: 7.62×39 mm.
- Capacity: 30-round curved magazines.
- Use: Soviet-designed rifle, robust and widespread globally; common in conflicts and international arms trafficking.
FAL
- Typical caliber: 7.62×51 mm NATO.
- Capacity: 20-round magazines (in general).
- Use: combat rifle (Belgian design), widely used by armed forces and also derived from diversions.
G3
- Typical caliber: 7.62×51 mm NATO.
- Capacity: 20-round magazines.
- Use: battle rifle (German design), common in military arsenals in South American countries.
AR-10
- Typical caliber: 7.62×51 mm NATO (varied versions).
- Capacity: 20–25 round magazines.
- Use: similar to FAL in potency; higher caliber AR platform.
Benelli MR1
- Type: semi-automatic carbine (Benelli MR1 is manufactured for the civilian/light military market).
- Caliber: generally 5.56×45 mm (depending on configuration).
- Note: it is less common among classic “war rifles”, but appears in operations due to market availability.
Mauser
- Note: the term can refer to different historical models (Mauser 98 and variations); in current context it can refer to precision rifles or parts of European origin.
- Caliber and capacity: vary depending on model.
Many rifles were referred to as “Frankenstein” — assemblies made with different parts (some legally imported) and receivers or lower parts manufactured or altered nationally.
Technical expertise will pinpoint exactly which ones are original, counterfeit or assembled.
