Military police officers on patrol during a police operation in the Morro dos Prazeres settlement in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, March 18, 2026.Image: keystone
March 18, 2026, 10:31 p.mMarch 18, 2026, 10:31 p.m
Several people were killed in a police operation against a drug gang in the Brazilian coastal metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, including one of the city’s most wanted criminals. Claudio Augusto dos Santos, known as Jiló dos Prazeres, was known to the police for numerous crimes and there were eight arrest warrants against him, as the news portal “G1” reported, citing the police. A total of six other suspected criminals and a local resident were killed.
According to authorities, Jiló dos Prazeres was considered the local leader of the crime syndicate Comando Vermelho (Red Command) – one of the largest drug gangs in Brazil, which is primarily active in drug trafficking in many of Rio’s poor districts.
According to the regional government, at least eight people were killed in a police operation against drug trafficking in the favelas in central Rio de Janeiro.Image: keystone
According to the police, hostages were taken in a residential building during the operation in the Morro dos Prazeres favela. Accordingly, both the alleged perpetrators and the resident were killed. Two police officers were also injured.
In response to the operation, criminals set a bus on fire and used other vehicles to set up barricades on important traffic routes. Among other things, a central access road to a tunnel that connects the city center with the southern zone was affected. Traffic was temporarily disrupted and some shops remained closed.
Deadliest police operation in October 2025
In the slums of Rio, deadly violence occurs again and again during police operations. Powerful gangs there are fighting for control of drug trafficking and protection rackets. According to authorities, at least 120 people were killed in a major operation in the Penha and Alemão favelas in October 2025 – the deadliest police operation in the city’s history to date. (sda/dpa)