Brazil's Anti-Organized Crime Program Inflicts R$1.6 bn Loss on Criminal Factions

The federal Programa Brasil Contra o Crime Organizado, launched last month by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, reported its first‑month results on 11 June. In 30 days, integrated operations by federal, state and municipal forces caused an estimated R$1.6 billion financial loss to organized‑crime factions. The effort involved 11 strategic operations and 9,964 security agents, leading to 7,961 arrests and the seizure of 82.5 tons of drugs. Authorities also blocked R$523 million in assets and seized large quantities of weapons, ammunition and explosives. The program is backed by an R$11 billion budget—R$1 billion from the federal budget and a R$10 billion loan from BNDES for the states. Minister of Justice Wellington César Lima e Silva said, “Brazil is building a permanent strategy to weaken criminal factions, combat arms and drug trafficking, and recover territory for the State and the population.”

In parallel, a public hearing in Mato Grosso’s Tribunal de Justiça gathered over 200 participants to discuss the new Law 15.358/2026, which expands criminal definitions and penalties for organized crime. Judge José Zuquim Nogueira highlighted the changing nature of criminal groups and the need for coordinated judicial response. The hearing underscored the broader policy push to strengthen Brazil’s legal and institutional framework against organized crime.