In a significant blow to organized crime in Rio de Janeiro, security forces have recovered a portion of the arsenal belonging to the notorious Red Command (Comando Vermelho) during a large-scale operation in the complexes of Alemão and Penha last week. Among the seized weapons, there are firearms that originally belonged to the military forces of Brazil and three other Latin American countries.
During the operation, authorities confiscated a total of 93 rifles and 26 pistols from the criminal faction’s stockpile. According to Vinícius Domingos, a delegate from the Civil Police’s Arms and Explosives Supervision Coordination (CFAE), at least two of these rifles are FAL models similar to those used by the military in Venezuela, one G3 model from the Peruvian army, and one FAL from Argentina.
The origins of these rifles span across various countries in the Americas and Europe. The majority of the seized firearms come from Germany, Belgium, the United States, Russia, and Italy. The police were able to identify the following rifle models in the possession of the Red Command:
- AK-47 rifles, which have their origins in Russia.
- AR-10 and AR-15 rifles, both traceable to the United States.
- G3 and Mauser rifles, hailing from Germany.
- FAL rifles, which are associated with Belgium.
- A Benelli MR1 rifle from Italy.
The arsenal reaches the hands of the criminal organization through multiple channels. Some of the military-grade equipment is diverted from official military stockpiles, while others are smuggled into the country or legally purchased online and then sold to traffickers. There are also instances where components are acquired through illicit means or manufactured in underground factories.
After the operation in Rio, ironically, Argentina reinforced its borders with Brazil to “prevent criminals from crossing”, despite being the source of some seized weapons. The U.S. also wishes to classify those organizations as “terrorists”, while also being part of the supply.
Authorities are now investigating the various pathways through which these sophisticated firearms are making their way into the hands of criminals, aiming to tighten security measures and disrupt the supply chains of these illicit arms. The operation’s success is a testament to the ongoing efforts by Brazilian security forces to combat the pervasive influence of criminal factions such as the Red Command.
Source: Globo
