The Rio de Janeiro State Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPRJ) launched an operation this Thursday (26) against 17 military police officers for links to the militia. The MPRJ is executing 37 search and seizure warrants against public security agents, in their homes and in the battalions in which they work. 
The operation is the result of the work of the Specialized Action Group for Combating Organized Crime of the Public Ministry of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Gaeco/MPRJ), with support from the Security and Intelligence Coordination (CSI/MPRJ).
According to the complaint filed by Gaeco, the officers acted as informants for a criminal group in the Bateau Mouche Community, in the Praça Seca neighborhood, in the West Zone of the capital of Rio de Janeiro. The officers were charged with criminal association focused on militia activities, extortion, illegal trade in firearms and passive corruption.
Thursday’s action corresponded to the second phase of Operation Naufrágio, which has the support of the General Inspectorate of the Military Police and the Sub-Secretariat of Intelligence (Ssinte) of the Civil Police.
Connection with the militia
Information and analysis reports from the Civil Police Intelligence Sub-Secretariat revealed that the accused officers provided privileged information to the militia. In the criminal proceedings, Gaeco pointed out dialogues in which the militia members indicated the exact locations for raids, detailing the routes with reference points to avoid mistakes in the community. The officers were also accused of negotiating the sale of weapons and ammunition and acting as drivers for the militia members in trips between the communities of Bateau Mouche, Barão, São José Operário, Campinho, Fubá, Chacrinha and Quiririm.
At the request of Gaeco, the Military Justice Audit Court ordered the full suspension of the accused from exercising their public functions and the suspension of their right to carry firearms. The warrants are being served at the addresses of the accused, as well as in the battalions where the PMs are currently stationed: General Personnel Department (Center), Special Patrol and Crowd Control Battalion (Center), 41st BPM (College), 40th BPM (Campo Grande), 9th BPM 2nd CIA (Honório Gurgel), 5th BPM (Gamboa), 18th BPM (Freguesia), 15th BPM (Duque de Caxias), 18th BPM (Freguesia), 20th BPM (Mesquita), BPCHOQUE (Center) and Bidding and Projects Directorate (Center).
*Intern under the supervision of Vinícius Lisboa
