A resident of one of the communities where the PMERJ (Rio de Janeiro Military Police) operation took place in the central region of the capital of Rio is among those eight people who were killed during the action held this Tuesday morning (18).
According to Marcelo Corbage, commander of BOPE (Special Police Operations Battalion), the man was killed with a shot to the head after being taken hostage by criminals.
So far, in addition to the resident, six suspects have died, and “Jiló dos Prazeres”, a Comando Vermelho drug dealer considered one of the most wanted in the state, was also killed.
The information was given during a press conference about the operation.
According to Corbage, Leandro Silva Souza and his wife had their house invaded by criminals from the CV (Comando Vermelho), who took the couple hostage. There was an attempt to negotiate, but the bandits allegedly attacked the police and the resident was shot in the head. His wife was not injured.
Burnt buses
In retaliation for the operation, criminals set fire to buses in the region. According to Rio Ônibus, seven buses had their keys removed and were used as barricades in the Rio Comprido neighborhood.
According to the PM, four people who would be linked to the CV were arrested for obstructing roads after setting fire to the buses.
Not moment, eleven lines are suffering route deviations in Rio Comprido and Santa Teresa, as a result of the police operation. See the impacted lines:
Crossed buses:
- A72088 – 410 Saens Pena x Gávea
- A72034 – 410 Saens Pena x Gávea
- A48062 – 202 Rio Comprido x Castelo
- A48046 – 202 Rio Comprido x Castelo
- A72061 – 111 Central x Leblon (burned)
- A72089 – 507 Silvestre x Largo do Machado
- A72058 – 007 Silvestre x Central
Impacted lines:
- 201 Santa Alexandrina x Castle
- 202 Rio Comprido x Castelo
- 410 Saens Pena x Gávea
- 133 Largo do Machado x Terminal Gentileza
- 006 Silvestre x Castelo
- 007 Silvestre x Central
- 507 Silvestre x Largo do Machado
- 111 Central x Leblon
- 109 São Conrado x Terminal Gentileza
- 014 Paula Matos x Central
- 426 Plant x Jardim de Allah
Furthermore, there are also road closures Catumbi (Rua Itapiru) and Rio Comprido (Rua Barão de Petrópolis and Rua Estrela and Avenida Paulo de Frontin). Rio City Hall advises drivers to avoid these regions.
A CNN Brazil attempts to contact the Municipal and State Departments of Education and Health regarding possible closures of public services due to the operation.
Understand the PM’s action
The action aims to identify and paralyze robbery-related criminal organizations of vehicles and drug trafficking.
According to the corporation, the work takes place in communities of Prazeres, Fallet, FogueteiroCoroa, Escondidinho and Paula Ramos.
The activity takes place in three phases of operation, starting with intervention and stabilization, followed by the search, capture and search of the environment and, finally, demobilization and withdrawal of the teams.
At least 150 police officers are currently workingwith support from agents from the 5th BPM (Praça da Harmonia), 14 police vehicles and two armored vehicles.
The SSI/PMERJ (Military Police Intelligence Subsecretariat) also assists in providing information on criminal organizations identified in the localities.
Who was “Jiló”, a drug dealer killed in the action
Claudio Augusto dos Santos, known as “Jiló dos Prazeres”, aged 55, was member of the CV (Comando Vermelho) and commanded traffic in Morro das Prazeres. He died after being shot during confrontation with police.
Considered one of the most wanted criminals in Rio de Janeiro, he had at least four outstanding arrest warrants for crimes such as kidnapping and false imprisonment, drug trafficking and illegal restraint.
(Under update)
