The Rio de Janeiro Civil Police arrested this Tuesday (28) a man identified as the main supplier of weapons to Luís Antônio da Silva Braga’s militia, Zinho. Delson Xavier de Oliveira was captured in Campo Grande, in the west of the capital of Rio de Janeiro.
According to police, Delson offered resistance after being approached by undercover officers. The individual had the vehicle he was driving against one of the police officers, in addition to firing a firearm. He was shot and was subsequently arrested.
With Delson, a pistol with a scratched number and two magazines were found. He was charged with illegal possession of a prohibited firearm, in addition to forming a private militia and attempted murder against civil police officers. There were 16 search and seizure warrants against the criminal’s cell phones, computers and notes.
Fighting militias
In August, militia member Peterson Luiz de Almeida, known as “Pet” and “Flamengo”, was arrested after having a temporary arrest warrant issued against him by the 1st Specialized Court in Criminal Organization of the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice.
Peterson was wanted for being one of the leaders of the so-called “Bonde do Zinho”, one of the most powerful and dangerous militias in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro, according to police. The group is responsible for several crimes, such as extortion, land grabbing and drug trafficking.
At the end of October, another Civil Police operation resulted in the death of Matheus da Silva Resende, also known as “Faustão” or “Teteus”, Zinho’s nephew, which triggered a wave of attacks. In total, 35 buses, four trucks, a train and two BRT stations were set on fire.
In early November, a man identified as Zinho’s main rival was also killed by police officers. Alan Ribeiro Soares, known as “Nanan” or “Malvadão”, was the leader of another militia that operates in the Santa Cruz neighborhood, in Rio, and died during a shootout inside the communities of Complexo João XXIII.
* Under the supervision of Bruno Laforé
Source: CNN Brasil
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