Civil Police, sought to comment on the case, said they were not authorized to disclose additional information
A delegate who participated in the mega-operation in the north of , carried out last Tuesday (28), lost his leg after being shot during the confrontation. The situation of the agent, identified as Bernardo Leal Annes Dias, was confirmed by the Secretary of Security, Victor Santos, in a press conference on Friday (31). During the interview, the secretary also reported that three other police officers are in serious and critical condition, but did not provide details about their identities or health conditions. The Civil Police, contacted to comment on the case, said they were not authorized to disclose additional information.
Bernardo’s friends and colleagues on social media started a campaign to support the police chief. Prosecutor Claudia Barros, Bernardo’s former Criminal Law teacher, wrote on her Instagram: “Let’s help Bernardo! He was once my student, today he is a Police Chief. Fighting for us, for the security of our State, he was hit.” Chief André Neves also posted a message of support, highlighting his friend’s strength: “His strength and courage represent the best of our Civil Police”.
The operation, called Containment, took place in the Penha and Alemão complexes and targeted leaders of the Comando Vermelho. The outcome of the action was tragic: at least 121 people died, including four police officers – two civilians and two military personnel. The confrontation was violent, with the criminals reacting with rifle fire and even launching grenades from drones. Additionally, 12 police officers were injured. Among the fatal victims was Sergeant Heber Carvalho da Fonseca, from BOPE, who was hit during the operation and succumbed to his injuries. Sergeants Cleiton Serafim Gonçalves, aged 42, also from BOPE, and civil police officers Marcos Vinicius Cardoso Carvalho, aged 51, and Rodrigo Velloso Cabral, aged 34, also lost their lives in the operation.
According to security authorities, of the 117 dead identified, all had links to organized crime and drug trafficking. During the operation, 113 people were arrested and 91 rifles seized. Furthermore, 42 of those killed had outstanding arrest warrants, and at least 78 had an “extensive criminal history”. Until the last update, 89 bodies were released for collection by families after the examination. The operation, which aimed to combat violence and drug trafficking in areas controlled by Comando Vermelho, continues to be investigated by the competent authorities.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
