# Drug seizures and criminal network dismantlement in Brazil

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/drug-seizures-by-brazilian-law-enforcement
> Updated: 2026-08-26T13:04:00.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 2.

Law enforcement agencies in Brazil have conducted several significant drug seizures and operations targeting criminal organizations.

In early August, the Polícia Rodoviária Federal (PRF) seized over one metric ton of drugs from a truck on the BR-364 highway near Porto Velho, Rondônia. In a related incident in Guarapuava, Paraná, officers intercepted a vehicle transporting wheat on the BR-277, discovering 3,553 kilograms of marijuana. A Paraguayan driver was arrested following that inspection.

Later in the month, during ‘Operação Impacto’ on the Marechal Rondon Highway (SP-300) in Andradina, São Paulo, Highway Police inspected an interstate bus, discovering 25.6 kilograms of marijuana and 764 grams of hashish in an external luggage compartment. A female passenger was detained.

On August 26, the Civil Police in Santos, São Paulo, arrested Leandro Teixeira de Andrade, known as ‘Portuga’, an alleged ally of PCC leader André do Rap. Investigations indicate Andrade exerted influence over trafficking points in the Morro do Jabaquara and Rádio Clube regions and utilized the Port of Santos infrastructure to facilitate international shipments. During the arrest at an apartment in the Aparecida neighborhood, authorities seized cocaine, US$ 4,000 in cash, mobile phones, and port worker uniforms. Police also recovered a notebook with chemical notations and substances such as zinc chloride and acetic acid, which can be used to create binders for pressing cocaine.

Simultaneously, police in Guarujá detained Wellington Araújo de Jesus, nicknamed ‘Gordo’. Identified as a trusted member of André do Rap’s inner circle, Jesus was reportedly using a false identity to evade authorities and was wanted for drug trafficking-related offenses.

In Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo, police dismantled trafficking networks through the ‘Little Bag’ operation, resulting in three arrests and the seizure of R$ 160,000 in cash and five vehicles, with authorities blocking R$ 7 million in assets.

## Claims

- Leandro Teixeira de Andrade, known as Portuga, is an associate of André do Rap and the PCC. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Leandro Teixeira de Andrade had an active arrest warrant with 8 years and 9 months of sentence remaining. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Police seized cocaine, US$ 4,000, cell phones, and a notebook with chemical substance notes during Andrade's arrest. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Chemical substances found with Andrade can be used to create materials for pressing cocaine. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Wellington Araújo de Jesus, 43, managed illicit business for André do Rap. (single source)
- Wellington Araújo de Jesus used a false identity, 'André Luis Santos dos Santos', during his arrest. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-26: PCC associates arrested in São Paulo police operations

Police arrested two associates of PCC leader André do Rap in São Paulo, including Leandro 'Portuga' Teixeira de Andrade and Wellington 'Gordo' Araújo de Jesus.

26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andradina-police-seize-26kg-of-drugs-on-interstate-bus

### 2026-08-06: Polícia Rodoviária Federal seizes over one ton of drugs in Rondônia

The Polícia Rodoviária Federal seized over one ton of drugs in Rondônia and intercepted 3,553 kg of marijuana in a wheat truck in Paraná, resulting in an arrest.

63 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paraguayan-trucks-tied-to-beef-theft-and-cocaine-bust-in-paran

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Cite as: Drug seizures and criminal network dismantlement in Brazil. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/drug-seizures-by-brazilian-law-enforcement