Police arrest leaders of faction suspected of leaking data from the RS Court of Justice

The Civil Police of Rio Grande do Sul, with the support of the Specialized Police Station for Weapons, Ammunition and Explosives (DESARME) of Rio de Janeiro, arrested a woman and a man on the morning of this Wednesday (10). The woman is identified as the leader of drug trafficking in the Condomínio Princesa Isabel, known as Carandiru, in the Azenha neighborhood, in Porto Alegre.

In addition to their involvement in drug trafficking, the gang was arrested after preventive arrest warrants were issued related to the investigation into leaks of confidential data from the Court of Justice of Rio Grande do Sul (TJRS).

According to the Civil Police, during the operation, nicknamed “Sucessão”, it was proven that a former intern at the Court sold the information to the gang, which used it to frustrate police actions.

The prisoners

Those arrested on Wednesday morning (10) are a 50-year-old woman, better known as Tina, and a 25-year-old man, known as Modinha. They lived together and were located in Rio de Janeiro.

According to investigations by the Civil Police, until 2015, drug trafficking in the condominium was headed by Alexandre Goular Madeira, known as Xandi.

In January 2015, he was murdered in the city of Tramandaí (RS), with rifle shots. After his death, the successor of the drug trafficking was Renato Fao Gambini, identified as one of the founders of the criminal organization originating from Vale dos Sinos, in Rio Grande do Sul.

In November 2022, at the age of 52, Gambini died in a cell at the Canoas State Penitentiary (PECAN). With his death, Gambini’s wife – Tina – took over command of the criminal faction.

During her management, she appointed relatives to various positions within the operation, including her son, known as Bokinha, and her son-in-law, Modinha.

In 2023, investigations by the Civil Police into the leak of confidential data from the Court of Justice of Rio Grande do Sul (TJRS) pointed to the gang.

An operation was launched on November 14, 2023 by the 19th DP, arresting those involved with the exception of Tina, who managed to escape to Rio de Janeiro and has been wanted ever since.

The defendant, known as “Modinha”, had been arrested in November 2023 at Viracopos Airport, when he was boarding a flight abroad. A few months later, he was released. The Public Prosecutor’s Office appealed the decision, and a new warrant was issued in June 2024.

On May 19, 2024, a new incident caught the attention of the Civil Police. Two buses were set on fire in front of the Princesa Isabel Condominium as a form of protest over the death of a resident.

The case, even though Tina’s participation has not been proven, caused concern among the police in their aim to maintain order in the region, since criminal actions in poor communities are only carried out with the approval of the leaders.

Investigation and arrest

The Rio Grande do Sul Civil Police’s Arrest Department (DECAP) began investigations to locate Tina at least six months ago. The police had information that she led a life of luxury in Rio de Janeiro, living in a high-end house with a swimming pool, a suite with a jacuzzi and a games room.

At the time of the arrest, the house was surrounded by police officers from Rio Grande do Sul and Rio de Janeiro. With no chance of fighting back or escaping, Tina ended up turning herself in to the police. Tina and Modinha were presented to the Rio de Janeiro courts and will be transferred to Rio Grande do Sul, where they will be held at the disposal of the courts.