The Civil and Military Police of Rio de Janeiro launched, on Tuesday (28), Operation Containment in the Penha and Alemão complexes, in the North Zone of the capital, aiming to dismantle the national structure of the Red Command (CV). The action resulted in 121 deaths, including four police officers, and 113 arrests, focusing on faction leaders who used communities as headquarters for training and strategic decisions. Although the main target, drug trafficker Edgar Alves de Andrade, known as Doca, fled, nine regional chiefs from other states were neutralized in clashes.
Authorities confirm that the complexes became CV command centers, attracting criminals from different regions for training in weapons handling and territorial expansion. The operation mobilized 2,500 agents and seized 118 weapons, including 91 rifles and 26 pistols, in one of the largest actions against organized crime in the state.
- Among the dead, 40 were from outside Rio, from Amazonas, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Pará, Ceará, Goiás and Paraíba.
- At least 78 of those identified had relevant criminal histories, including warrants for trafficking and homicides.
- The strategy included the “Bope Wall”, which surrounded forested areas to isolate suspects.
Governor Cláudio Castro classified the operation as a success, despite criticism for lethality, and announced a sustainable occupation plan for the favelas until December.
Neutralized leader profiles
Douglas Conceição de Souza, known as Chico Rato, dand 32 years old, he worked in Manaus (AM) as head of drug trafficking in the Tancredo Neves neighborhood. Sentenced to 40 years for double murder in 2019, he was serving a semi-open regime for illegal possession of a weapon and maintained ties with the extinct Família do Norte, a recent ally of the CV.
Francisco Myller Moreira da Cunha, Gringo, also 32 years old and born in Eirunepé (AM), had been on the run since April 2024 for murder and criminal organization. He celebrated his birthday the day before the operation and was being investigated for involvement in local executions.
Alisson Lemos Rocha, known as Russo or Gordinho do Valão, aged 27, came from Vitória (ES) and led drug trafficking in the Barro Branco neighborhood, linked to the Nova Carapina area. Investigated for murder in April 2025, he had fled the state and was not at the top of the local hierarchy, according to the Espírito Santo Civil Police.
Expansion of CV and training in complexes
The Penha and Alemão complexes served as a base for the CV to coordinate actions in at least ten states, with training in shooting and guerrilla tactics to “train” drug traffickers sent back to their origins. Secretary Felipe Curi highlighted that national decisions were made there, facilitating the spread of drugs and weapons.
Investigations lasting more than a year revealed communications via applications for internal punishments and security in smoke outlets. The operation identified 94 initial targets, many fugitives from other states, who used the region for mutual protection.
The presence of criminals from abroad complicated identifications, requiring interstate data crossing. At least 33 prisoners were also from regions such as Amazonas and Pará, reinforcing the transnational character of the faction.
Data from Geni/UFF indicate that, from 2007 to October 2025, police actions in Rio caused 2,905 civilian deaths, with this operation surpassing previous records such as Jacarezinho (2021, 28 deaths) and Vila Cruzeiro (2022, 23 deaths).
Details of the operation and seizures
The action began at 6am with drones and helicopters, facing barricades and rifle fire. Police advanced through Serra da Misericórdia, pushing suspects into forested areas where Bope teams were waiting. Images captured show 23 armed men, some in fake uniforms, moving to escape.
100 arrest warrants and 150 search warrants were executed, resulting in 113 detainees. Among them, Thiago do Nascimento Mendes, known as Belão, Doca’s right-hand man, captured in Favela da Chatuba.
Seizures included nine motorcycles used in escapes and cell phones with messages about acquisitions of drones and weapons. Two rifles marked “CV AM” confirm influx of Amazonian weapons.
Siege strategies and clashes in the woods
In the forest area, known as Pedreira, the main clashes occurred, with suspects cornered by the “Bope Wall” tactic. Residents reported the removal of bodies by families, totaling more than 50 informally rescued before the official examination.
The Medical-Legal Institute (IML) identified 99 of the 117 civilians killed as of Friday (31), with 42 having outstanding warrants. Four innocent people were confirmed as collateral damage, according to Secretary Victor Santos.
Body cameras were used in part of the action, but recordings have not yet been released. The Federal Public Ministry and the Public Defender’s Office requested clarification on the lethality.
Criminal history of Bahians Mazola, DG and FB
Danilo Ferreira do Amor Divino, Mazola or Dani, from Feira de Santana (BA), commanded local drug trafficking and was appointed as main boss by the Civil Police of Rio. He was born in the city and expanded distribution routes for the CV.
Diogo Garcez Santos Silva, the DG, also from Feira de Santana, had convictions for association with drug trafficking and illegal possession of weapons. He worked together with Mazola, managing points of sale in the metropolitan region of Bahia.
Fábio Francisco Santana Sales, the FB, from Alagoinhas (BA), responded for threats and links to drug trafficking. His death weakens CV’s northeastern network, which used Rio as a logistics hub.
Regional impact and next steps
Neighboring countries, such as Paraguay and Argentina, reinforced their borders after the operation, declaring CV and PCC as terrorists. In Brazil, the recovery planof favelas, required by ADPF 635 of the STF, will be delivered to the federal government in December, prioritizing intelligence and permanent presence.
The operation exposed the CV’s protection network, with Doca using “soldiers” to escape. Despite the high balance, authorities predict a 25% reduction in the faction’s expansion in the coming months.