In the wars fought by criminal factions for territorial dominance in Rio, boasting the largest number of rifles has always been a demonstration of power in their strongholds. But in recent months, this practice has gained momentum. Criminals circulate with heavy weapons on the asphalt, captured by surveillance cameras in car and cargo thefts, as well as attacks on bank branches, in a coming and going that is reflected in the apprehensions by security forces. According to Rio Military and Civil Police, in the first quarter of this year, 207 rifles were seized — 53% more than the 135 seized in the first trimester of 2022. The result is almost twice that achieved by security forces in São Paulo, where in 2022, 110 rifles were seized, according to the state’s Public Security Secretariat.
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Weapons of Choice for Territorial Invasions
It is precisely this weapon that has been perpetuating disputes in the region that today has become the most violent and lethal in Rio: Jacarepaguá, in the West Zone. This is what a study by the Rio de Janeiro Military Police reveals about seizures of heavy weapons between 1 January and 23 March. In Chacrinha and Bateau Mouche hills, as well as communities in the Freguesia and Campinho, all of them in conflict, 42 weapons of this type were seized.
State government
The increase in seizures led Governor Cláudio Castro to ask for a meeting with the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Flávio Dino. Castro has spoken about the need for the Federal and Federal Highway Police to draw up an effective plan to prevent the entry of weapons into Rio. Aligned, the secretaries of Military Police and Civil Police, understand that the moment is to join forces. Rio does not manufacture weapons. Most of these war weapons come from abroad. For them, we will only be able to quell arms trafficking through a major joint action, involving federal, state and even municipal forces.
Federal Police action
Until integration takes place, the Federal Police (PF) has been acting against the illegal arms trade. In Rio, federal agents seized another 74 rifles in the Disarmed Operation. According to the PF, most of the weapons located in Rio are purchased in the United States. The Highway Police (PRF) did not report on the seizure of rifles or strategy for combating crime.
Our Analysis:
Experts agree that integrated action is beneficial, however, they criticize a bonus that will be paid by the state to police officers for apprehending rifles. In their view, this measure would be a function deviation. The military police mission is ostensive policing. Occurrences such as the arrest of the woman with rifles at the bus station are part of the routine, because they were on patrol. But when they aim at a troubled area to look for a rifle, this must be done with intelligence and investigation, a function that the Constitution provides for the Civil Police.
