THE Rio de Janeiro seized 500 rifles by the Military Police since the beginning of 2025. The number was registered, after operations carried out by the battalions of Irajá, Governor Island and Bangu, in the north and west zones of the state capital. This data shows a scenario that has been fought intensely by state security forces.
“We need to reinforce the need for firmer performance from the federal government to prevent the entry of weapons into the territory of Rio de Janeiro. We ended 2024 with the seizure of 732 rifles and this year we have already collected 500. It is a worrying situation, we cannot let these weapons of war continue to circulate through our state,” said Governor Claudio Castro.
During the actions, the State Secretariat of Military Police withdrew six armaments – restricted use of security forces, which were in the possession of drug traffickers linked to the main criminal factions of Rio.
An analysis of the Corporation’s Intelligence Undersecretary (SSI) points out a change in the profile of weapons used by criminals. In 2025, the sector has observed that most of the rifles seized by military police were set up in clandestine factories, linked to organized crime. Until last year, more than 90% of SEPM’s rifles were manufactured in other countries.
To the Greater seizures occur in areas of the state where there is territorial dispute between rival criminal factions, such as the regions of the Chapadão and Quarry Complexes, as well as Morro do Juramento, in Vicente de Carvalho.
According to the Secretary of Military Police, Colonel Marcelo Nogueira, “each rifle taken from circulation represents saved lives and safer communities. Our commitment is to continue acting in an integrated and strategic manner to weaken the war power of criminal factions and bring tranquility to the Rio de Janeiro population.”
The results were achieved with the investment in technology equipment, intelligence information, previously planned actions and also due to the indispensable collaboration of the population, through the service service 190 or the Denunciation Dial (21) 2253-1177.
