Rio de Janeiro police dismantle illegal weight loss pen ring

Police in Rio de Janeiro have dismantled a clandestine distribution network for weight loss pens, resulting in the arrest of 41-year-old Renan Reis de Carvalho. The operation, conducted by the 16th DP (Barra da Tijuca) with intelligence support from the Correios, led to the seizure of products valued at approximately R$ 2 million in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood.

Investigators identified that the suspect was using a commercial room as a distribution center to ship unauthorized medications to various cities across Brazil. The products lacked Anvisa registration and had unknown origins. Authorities seized the medications, packaging materials, labels, and equipment used to prepare the shipments. Carvalho was charged with crimes against public health.

In a separate operation, the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police targeted a gang responsible for stealing a shipment of medicines valued at approximately R$ 488,000 on the Presidente Dutra Highway. The investigation revealed that the suspects used ride-sharing application vehicles to facilitate the crime. Several arrest warrants and search warrants were issued, resulting in the detention of multiple suspects.