New criminal faction forms within Rio de Janeiro prison system

A new criminal faction, named Primeiro Comando do Golpe, is organizing within the prison system of Rio de Janeiro. The group emerged as a dissident movement from the Povo de Israel (PVI) following the death of its leader, Avelino Gonçalves Lima, last year.

Reports from the State Penitentiary Council (Cperj) indicate that the emergence of this group has caused significant instability. Incidents include physical assaults, death threats, and an arson attempt in a gallery at the Lemos de Brito prison in the Gericinó Complex. In one instance, inmates attempted to set fire to a section to seize control.

The PVI, which consists of prisoners considered “neutrals” who do not belong to major factions like Comando Vermelho or Terceiro Comando Puro, primarily generates income through phone scams and drug trafficking within prisons. The State Secretariat of Penal Police (Seppen) has mobilized intelligence units to identify involved inmates and implement security measures, such as isolation and disciplinary regimes, to contain the group's expansion.