Operation against drug trafficking arrests 17 in Rio Grande do Sul.
In the operation, 3,5 kg of crack cocaine, two LCD TVs, cell phones, and money were seized; the gang was led by the partners of drug traffickers who were arrested.
Brazilian Civil Police arrested at least 17 people on Wednesday during an operation against drug trafficking and homicides in the Canoas, Nova Santa Rita, and Porto Alegre region of Rio Grande do Sul. Among those arrested are eight men and nine women, in addition to two apprehended teenagers. The operation, named Paranoia, involved 22 search and seizure warrants and 21 preventive arrest warrants.
The operation was launched after eight months of investigation. According to the police, the gang leader commanded the group from inside the Viamão Prison, along with an accomplice. The two suspects believed to be leaders of the gang allegedly executed the former drug trafficking leader of the Mathias Velho neighborhood. The gang robbed banks and cargo, and was responsible for homicides and drug trafficking.
The drug traffickers' partners took over the drug trafficking operation after their partners were arrested. They were arrested today and taken to the Central Prison along with the other inmates. During the operation, 3,5 kg of crack cocaine, two LCD televisions, cell phones, and cash were seized.