Brazil's Justice Ministry Launches Rio de Janeiro Anti‑Drug Office

On 3 May 2024 the Ministry of Justice and Public Security inaugurated the National Anti‑Drug Office in Rio de Janeiro. The office is intended to deepen coordination between the federal government, the state of Rio and municipal authorities to combat organized crime, especially the financial and territorial infiltration of drug factions.

Minister Wellington César Lima e Silva said Rio de Janeiro “synthesizes the challenges of Brazil’s public security” and that a permanent federal presence is needed to map and dismantle criminal networks. The new unit joins similar offices opened earlier in São Paulo and Foz do Iguaçu and coincides with regional seats for the Financial Activities Control Council (Coaf) in both Rio and São Paulo.

Secretary of Public Security Chico Lucas highlighted Coaf’s “absolute centrality” in cutting the profit streams that fund violence, while Secretary of Penitentiary Policies André Garcia announced federal support for Rio’s prisons, including equipment donations and staff training. The office will provide strategic intelligence, logistical assistance for state operations, and will coordinate at least two regional and one national operation each month, aiming to monitor, isolate and disrupt criminal leaders inside and outside prisons.