Residents of Botafogo, a neighborhood located in the South Zone of Rio, witnessed a strong shooting in the early hours of Tuesday morning (23). The action is part of a new stage of Operation Containment, conducted by the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro, with the purpose of stopping the expansion of Comando Vermelho (CV) and dismantling its financial base. The current focus of the offensive is the faction that dominates Morro Santa Marta, a strategic point due to its proximity to high-traffic and tourist areas of the city.
During the confrontation, an individual who was on board a bus on Rua São Clemente suffered a gunshot wound to the leg. Additionally, a group that was heading to the community’s viewpoint to watch the sunrise was detained due to the intensity of the gunfire. Homes and the Methodist Church, located nearby, had projectile holes.
At the time of last update, four people were detained as a result of the operation. Police teams were dispatched to execute 44 arrest orders and 98 search and seizure orders, with eight of the targets already in custody. Such judicial determinations were issued by the 26th Criminal Court of the capital of Rio de Janeiro.
The armed confrontation began at around 4 am, simultaneously with the arrival of police forces at the scene. The sound of gunshots echoed through different areas of the neighborhood, and reports of explosions were also recorded by residents.
Rua São Clemente, one of the busiest roads in Botafogo and an essential route for access to Morro Santa Marta, had dozens of Civil Police vehicles parked. At least two helicopters provided aerial support to the agents during the operation.
Man on bus hit by stray bullet during shooting
Rio Ônibus confirmed that a stray projectile hit a passenger on line 410 (Saens Peña-Gávea) while the vehicle was traveling along Rua São Clemente. The bullet hit the passenger’s right leg, and the other occupants of the bus improvised a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
The identity of the injured individual was not revealed until the last news update, and details about his condition remain unknown.
In an official statement, the Rio Ônibus union expressed its vehement rejection of the constant violence and insecurity that affect public transport in the city. The entity highlighted that incidents like this directly affect the lives and integrity of passengers and employees, reiterating the need for a safe environment in vehicles.
Details of the two-year investigation against drug trafficking
The investigations conducted by the Narcotics Suppression Department (DRE) began in mid-2024.
The DRE’s specialized unit points to Ronaldo Pinto Lima e Silva, known as Ronaldinho Tabajara or R9, as the leader of drug trafficking in Santa Marta. He continues issuing orders even though he is detained in the Federal Prison of Mossoró (RN). Francisco Rafael Dias da Silva, nicknamed Mexicano, is identified as Ronaldinho’s main assistant in the community.
The DRE team managed to identify a total of 44 members of the criminal organization, including managers, armed security guards, drug distributors and those who monitor access to the favela.
The police station declared that the investigations will continue with the aim of locating other individuals involved, deepening the analysis of the materials collected during the execution of the court warrants and ensuring full criminal liability for all members of the faction.
Operation Containment strategy and results
Operation Containment represents a strategic initiative of the state government, created to stop and combat the geographic expansion of the criminal group Comando Vermelho.
Its main purpose is to dismantle the financial structure, operational logistics and general functioning of the criminal organization, in addition to arresting drug traffickers operating in the area.
Throughout the various phases of this initiative, more than 360 criminals were arrested and another 137 died in clashes with the police. The actions also resulted in the seizure of approximately 480 weapons, of which 190 were rifles, and more than 51 thousand ammunition.