Rio de Janeiro state prosecutors (MPRJ) on Thursday (27) arrested two military police officers and a man identified as a drug trafficker, all investigated over an alleged scheme to supply weapons and ammunition to the Curicica militia, a paramilitary group in the city's West Zone, and to the Terceiro Comando Puro (TCP), one of Rio's main drug trafficking factions. In total, 20 people were charged, according to MPRJ information reported by CNN Brasil, G1, Extra and O Dia.

The arrested officers are Jorge Anastácio Rodrigues Simões, assigned to the 4th BPM battalion (São Cristóvão), and Leo Carlos Araújo Santos, of the 2nd BPM (Botafogo). According to the investigation, both are suspected of supplying and brokering purchases of weapons and ammunition for members of the militia and the faction. The third detainee is identified as a trafficker linked to the scheme. The warrants were carried out by the MPRJ's Security and Intelligence Coordination office, with support from the Military Police's internal affairs division.

What the investigation says

According to the MPRJ, the Curicica militia and the TCP allegedly reached a cooperation pact to avoid clashes between the two groups and to join forces against rivals, mainly the Comando Vermelho (CV). The agreement would also have facilitated the negotiation of weapons and drugs. Yuri Guimarães Soares, known as "Lirow", is identified as the link between the militia members and TCP operatives active in the Maré and Pedreira favela complexes, in Rio's North Zone.

Investigators identified negotiations involving rifles of 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm and .223 calibers, as well as pistols and ammunition. Within the militia's command, André Costa Bastos, known as "Boto" or "Redbull", currently held in a federal prison, is identified as responsible for the group's strategic command, while Osmar Silva de Souza, known as "Messi" or "Novinho", would be the operational leader. According to the MPRJ, the militia raises money through fees charged to residents and merchants and through vehicle and cargo robberies in Jacarepaguá and nearby areas.

Case timeline

• Investigation: the MPRJ's Security and Intelligence Coordination probes the link between the Curicica militia and the TCP, including the role of military police officers in arming both groups.
• Thursday (27): the operation executes warrants and arrests two officers and a suspect identified as a trafficker.
• After the operation: the MPRJ charges 20 people, and the 3rd Specialized Court for Criminal Organizations in the capital accepts the complaint; courts order the preventive detention of those investigated.

With the complaint accepted, the accused become defendants and face charges such as forming a private militia, association with drug trafficking using firearms, and illegal trade of restricted-use weapons and ammunition. Defense teams will have a legal deadline to respond to the charges, and the next dates in the proceedings have not been announced. CNN Brasil reported it is trying to reach the lawyers of those named. All of those investigated are presumed innocent until a final conviction.