Brazil police seize leaders of criminal gangs in Brasnorte and Porto Alegre

The Civil Police launched Operation Comércio Seguro in Brasnorte, Mato Grosso on July 9, executing four judicial orders that led to the arrest of a gang member suspected of armed robbery and the seizure of weapons. The mother of the detainee was also taken into custody for illegal gambling. The operation aims to protect local merchants and dismantle the criminal network responsible for a series of violent thefts.

A separate raid on July 10 in the municipality of Getúlio Vargas, Rio Grande do Sul, resulted in the capture of Marcos da Silva Oliveira, known as “Marquinhos,” a top leader of a gang based in Porto Alegre. He was wanted for a 2016 homicide and is linked to drug and arms trafficking, with documented ties to Paraguay and alliances with the PCC and CV.

Both actions highlight coordinated efforts by the Civil Police, Denarc, the Federal Highway Police and the Military Brigade to curb organized crime in Brazil.