# Organized crime and corruption in Rio de Janeiro

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/organized-crime-and-corruption-in-rio-de-janeiro
> Updated: 2026-08-27T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 2.

Law enforcement and judicial actions in Rio de Janeiro have targeted various criminal activities linked to organized crime and corruption.

Initially, a court accepted a complaint against 26 individuals accused of participating in a criminal network associated with the Terceiro Comando Puro (TCP) faction. This group allegedly engaged in extortion, robbery, and fraud by using fake advertisements on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and OLX to lure victims into armed robberies or real estate scams.

Subsequently, investigations by the Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime (Gaeco) led to the arrest of two military police officers, Jorge Anastácio Rodrigues Simões and Leo Carlos Araújo Santos. They are suspected of mediating the sale of high-powered weapons and ammunition, including high-caliber rifles, to both a local militia and the TCP faction. This investigation uncovered a strategic alliance and non-aggression pact between the Curicica militia and the TCP to combat the rival Comando Vermelho faction.

In a recent development, the Public Ministry denounced 20 individuals for their involvement in these criminal networks. The Curicica militia is described as a hierarchical organization led strategically by André Costa Bastos, known as ‘Boto’ or ‘Redbull’, despite his incarceration in the federal prison system, while Osmar Silva de Souza, known as ‘Messi’, reportedly manages operational leadership. The militia allegedly funds its activities through the extortion of residents and businesses, as well as vehicle and cargo thefts in the Jacarepaguá region. Additionally, Yuri Guimarães Soares has been identified as a key link between the militia and the TCP.

## Claims

- The Gaeco denounced 20 people for involvement with the Curicica militia and the TCP drug faction. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Two military police officers are among those denounced. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- An alliance exists between the Curicica militia and the TCP based on a non-aggression pact and operational cooperation. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- André Costa Bastos is identified as the strategic leader, while Osmar Silva de Souza is identified as the operational leader of the militia. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The criminal organization is funded through extortion of residents and merchants, as well as vehicle and cargo theft. (corroborated by 7 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-27: Rio de Janeiro prosecutors denounce 20 for militia and TCP alliance

Rio de Janeiro prosecutors have denounced 20 people, including two military police officers, for linking the Curicica militia to the TCP drug faction through weapons trafficking and strategic alliances.

25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-de-janeiro-police-arrested-for-supplying-weapons-to-militia-and-criminal-faction

### 2026-08-12: Rio de Janeiro court indicts 26 for extortion and fraud ring

A Rio de Janeiro court accepted charges against 26 people linked to the TCP faction for running an extortion and fraud ring using fake vehicle and real estate advertisements.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-de-janeiro-court-indicts-26-for-extortion-and-fraud-ring

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Cite as: Organized crime and corruption in Rio de Janeiro. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/organized-crime-and-corruption-in-rio-de-janeiro