Rio de Janeiro operation dismantles fuel theft ring

On July 3, authorities in Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro state, carried out a joint raid—Operação Foco, the Rio Institutional Security Office (GSI‑RJ), the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) and the Rural Crime Repression Division (Delfaz). The operation seized about 12,200 L of gasoline, ethanol and diesel stored illegally, confiscated R$ 22,750 in cash, and arrested six people in flagrante. Two tanker trucks linked to the scheme were seized and the illicit storage site, known locally as a “biqueira,” was shut down.

Investigators said drivers removed roughly 20 L from each of the eight tank compartments, using counterfeit seals to hide the theft. The diverted fuel was sold at lower prices, harming distributors, transporters and public tax revenue. “Clandestine fuel stations cause losses to public coffers, foster unfair competition and jeopardise public safety,” said GSI‑RJ secretary Roberto Lizandro Leão.