Rio de Janeiro militias extort residents for public street parking

Criminal militias in the state of Rio de Janeiro are expanding their extortion activities, according to reports from the Baixada Fluminense region. In São João do Meriti, these groups have begun charging a monthly fee of R$ 70 from residents who do not have private garages and must park their vehicles on public streets. The militias justify these charges by claiming to provide security for the vehicles.

This follows a pattern of criminal control over essential services and goods in the region. In Itaguaí, for example, factions have previously controlled gas supplies and internet services. There are also reports of criminals demanding that local businesses, such as barbershops and beauty salons, purchase specific supplies, such as razor blades, which are suspected to be the result of cargo theft.