# Police corruption and extortion in Rio de Janeiro

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/police-corruption-and-extortion-in-rio-de-janeiro
> Updated: 2026-09-04T11:56:54.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

The Public Prosecutor's Office of the State of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ) has denounced three civil police officers and one additional man for their involvement in an armed criminal association in São Gonçalo. 

The group allegedly utilized official police uniforms, weapons, and vehicles to extort businesses involved in scrap metal, recycling, and waste disposal. By posing as inspectors, the suspects intimidated business owners with claims of administrative or environmental irregularities. In one reported case, the group demanded R$ 300,000 from a recycling company, eventually lowering the demand to R$ 100,000 plus ongoing monthly payments after the victim resisted. 

Following an investigation, authorities executed four arrest warrants and six search and seizure warrants. Prosecutors emphasized that the suspects used police resources to provide a ‘false appearance of legality’ to their extortion activities.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-04: Rio de Janeiro police officers denounced for extortion

Three Rio de Janeiro police officers and an accomplice face charges for using official police resources to extort scrap metal and recycling businesses in São Gonçalo.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-de-janeiro-police-officers-denounced-for-extortion

### 2026-08-09: Police vehicle theft in Rio de Janeiro leads to arrest

A woman was arrested in Rio de Janeiro after stealing a parked Military Police vehicle and crashing it during a chase in Rio das Ostras. Two officers face disciplinary action.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-vehicle-stolen-and-recovered-in-brazil

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Cite as: Police corruption and extortion in Rio de Janeiro. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/police-corruption-and-extortion-in-rio-de-janeiro