At least two buses were seized by criminals and used as barricades in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday morning, August 26, according to G1. The vehicles were pulled across Clarimundo de Melo and Ernani Cardoso streets in the Cascadura neighborhood, according to the bus operators association Rio Onibus.

The blockades happened during a joint operation by Rio's Military Police in the Campinho and Fuba communities, involving units from the 9th Battalion (Rocha Miranda) and the 18th Battalion (Jacarepagua). Police said the operation targeted organized crime in the area.

According to police, armed criminals clashed with officers and fled into a wooded area, where units are now conducting a search operation to locate and arrest the suspects. A pistol was seized during the action. Police also said the criminals hijacked the buses while fleeing and pulled them across the roads to hinder officers movement, a tactic used in Rio to slow security forces during raids on communities controlled by armed groups.

Police presence in the area was reinforced, and officers are working to clear the roads and restore traffic flow. As of the latest update from G1, no injuries had been reported.

Bus routes affected

Rio Onibus said 19 routes passing through the area had altered itineraries, including lines 353 (Gardenia Azul-Gentileza Terminal), 624 (Mariopolis-Praca da Bandeira), 745 (Bangu-Cascadura) and 979 (Madureira-Fundao). The operator did not specify when service on those routes would return to normal.