Brazil police launch multi‑state crackdown on criminal faction in Cariri

On Thursday, a police operation named Falange was carried out in the Cariri region of Ceará, targeting members of an organized crime faction. About 80 civil police officers executed 50 judicial orders, including 28 preventive arrests and 22 search and seizure warrants, resulting in the detention of 19 suspects. The operation extended beyond Ceará to the states of Bahia, Pernambuco, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Delegado Márcio Gutiérrez said the anti‑faction law allows sentences of up to 80 years for leaders who recruit minors and expand criminal influence. He indicated that analysis of seized phones, documents and other evidence will guide further phases of the crackdown, potentially leading to additional arrests and searches.