The leader of the largest paramilitary group in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, Luis Antonio da Silva Braga, known as “Zinho” and on the run for five yearshe surrendered to the police after negotiations with his defenders.
Defined as “Rio de Janeiro’s enemy number 1” by the state government, “Zinho” had been at large since 2018 and amassed more than a dozen arrest warrants for criminal activities, according to a statement released last night by the authorities.
Zinho “presented himself” to the Regional Superintendency of the Federal Police (PF) in Rio and was then detained and subsequently arrested. “directed to the prison system of the State, where it will remain at the disposal of Justice”, specifies the force in a note.
The Minister of Justice and Security, Flávio Dino, celebrated today on criminals.”
The governor of Rio, Claudio Castrohighlighted the “victory” framed in the security plan which aims to disarm criminal groups with prison and financial asphyxiation, the AFP news agency reported.
A photograph released by the Brazilian federal police shows Luis Antonio da Silva Braga, alias “Zinho”, surrendering to police in Rio de Janeiro. Photo by AFPThe militias were formed about four decades ago by former police officers, retired military officers, firefighters and prison guards, among others, as community self-defense groups against the actions of drug trafficking gangs.
Although they were initially well-regarded by the inhabitants, they soon began to practice extortion through the “Protection” tax for companies and businessesas well as monitoring the provision of some basic services to favela residents.
In recent years they have ventured into drug trafficking, arms trafficking and money laundering, among other crimes.
Last October, the activity of these groups in Rio became a national security issue following an attack by militiamen who left 35 buses and a train in flamesafter a police operation in which one of its leaders died.
These groups had already been at the center of the scene earlier that month for the murder of three doctors shot in Barra da Tijuca, west of Rio, because one of them was allegedly confused with a militia leader whom rival groups had sworn to die
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.