# Illegal firearm manufacturing in Rio Grande do Sul

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/illegal-firearm-manufacturing-in-rio-grande-do-sul
> Updated: 2026-09-04T14:12:48.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 2.

In Rio Grande do Sul, the Civil Police launched ‘Operação 3D’ to dismantle a criminal network specializing in the illegal manufacture and sale of 3D-printed firearms. Coordinated by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, the operation targeted several municipalities in the Porto Alegre metropolitan area.

Authorities executed 20 preventive arrest warrants and 14 search and seizure warrants, apprehending a main suspect in Canoas. Investigators described a structured organization where members managed technical production, orders, and distribution. The group used 3D printers to create components like rigid plastic external structures and magazines, which were combined with metal parts to produce high-caliber, high-precision ‘ghost guns’ sold to various criminal factions.

## Claims

- The Federal Police launched Operation Polaridade to investigate fraud in firearm registration for collectors, shooters, and hunters (CACs). (corroborated by 12 sources)
- Authorities executed 20 arrest warrants and 26 search and seizure warrants. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- Eleven people were caught in the act, and firearms including rifles and pistols were seized. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- A third-party contractor in the Weapons Nucleus allegedly approved requests without mandatory documentation. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- Investigators found repeated documents among different applicants and the use of falsified proof of residence. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- Suspects may face charges including criminal organization, corruption, falsification of documents, and illegal arms trade. (corroborated by 12 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-04: Federal Police launch Operation Polaridade against firearm registration fraud

The Brazilian Federal Police launched Operation Polaridade to combat firearm registration fraud for CACs, resulting in 11 arrests and the seizure of rifles and pistols in Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo.

20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/federal-police-dismantle-firearm-registration-fraud-scheme-in-brazil

### 2026-08-18: Rio Grande do Sul police dismantle 3D-printed firearm ring

Brazilian police launched Operação 3D to dismantle a ring using 3D printers to manufacture high-precision firearms for criminal factions in Rio Grande do Sul, resulting in multiple arrests.

26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vila-franca-de-xira-man-arrested-for-attacking-parents-with-knives

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Cite as: Illegal firearm manufacturing in Rio Grande do Sul. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/illegal-firearm-manufacturing-in-rio-grande-do-sul