Brazil: Battles in Rio de Janeiro
PF carries out action to arrest 23 involved with criminal faction in Rio. The Federal Police (PF) is serving 23 preventive detention orders and 24 search and seizure orders this Monday (19). Operation Backbone targets individuals accused of imposing a monopoly on internet service exploitation in areas dominated by the criminal faction Comando Vermelho, in Rio de Janeiro. By 9:15 AM, 19 people had already been arrested. According to the PF, the criminal faction imposes a monopoly on the offer of internet service in the complexes of Alemão, da Penha, and do Chapadão, in the north zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, through the use of weapons and threats against residents. Related news: Federal Police and MPSP carry out operation against drug trafficking. Federal Police action against illegal mining in Pará. Federal Police seize R$ 2.8 million in the first round of elections. According to the PF, the group also launders money obtained from criminal activity, through event production companies, advertising companies, high-standard real estate paid in cash, and cryptoassets. Strategy. Investigations have shown that armed criminals cut cables and set fire to distribution boxes of competing internet providers, prevent repairs, and force residents and merchants to contract the internet service controlled by the faction. According to the PF, in a single month, the charges on internet service accounted for more than 40% of the criminal group's total revenue in Complexo da Penha, showing that the exploitation of this service has become one of the main activities of the criminal faction, which fuels the war for control of territories. Orders. The orders were issued by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) in the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro, Nova Iguaçu, São João de Meriti, Teresópolis, Maricá, and Magé. Part of the arrest warrants are being served in the prison system, including in a unit of the Federal Penitentiary System, where one of the accused leaders of the criminal group is detained. The Justice also determined the blocking of assets and values of 40 people and 42 companies, totaling R$ 558 million. The suspension of economic activities of the legal entities in question was also determined, including internet providers, event production companies, accounting firms, and shell companies. According to the PF, the investigated individuals may face charges of structured social domain, aggravated extortion, attack against the safety of public utility service, interruption of telematic service, clandestine development of telecommunications, and money laundering. Authorizations. The National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) will be officially notified for the revocation of permits and the interdiction of telecommunications services provided by these companies, in addition to having to take steps to ensure the continuity of service to residents of the affected areas.
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