Residents of Botafogo, in Rio de Janeiro’s South Zone, reported an intense exchange of gunfire during the early hours of Tuesday (23/06). The operation marked another phase of the Civil Police’s Operation Contenção (Operation Containment), an ongoing effort aimed at curbing the territorial expansion of the Red Command (CV) and dismantling the faction’s financial and operational structure. This stage of the operation targeted drug traffickers operating in the Morro Santa Marta community. During the raid, a passenger aboard a bus traveling along Rua São Clemente was struck in the leg by a stray bullet. A group of people who had gone to the favela’s viewpoint to watch the sunrise also became trapped due to the shooting.
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Results
As of the latest update, six suspects had been arrested. Officers were tasked with executing 44 arrest warrants and 98 search and seizure warrants, although eight of the targets were already in custody. The warrants were issued by the 26th Criminal Court of Rio de Janeiro. Gunfire erupted at around 4:00, immediately after police teams entered the community. Bursts of automatic gunfire echoed across several parts of the neighborhood, and explosions were also reported. Dozens of Civil Police vehicles were deployed along Rua São Clemente, one of Botafogo’s busiest streets and the main access route to Santa Marta. At least two helicopters provided aerial support throughout the operation.
Passenger Shot
According to Rio Ônibus, a stray bullet struck a passenger traveling on a Route 410 bus (Saens Peña–Gávea) while it was passing through Rua São Clemente. The bullet hit the victim in the right leg, and fellow passengers improvised a tourniquet until emergency assistance arrived. The victim had not been identified as of the latest update, and no information had been released regarding the person’s medical condition.
Two Years of Investigations
The investigation conducted by the Narcotics Enforcement Division (DRE) began in mid-2024. According to investigators, the criminal organization operating in Santa Marta is led by Ronaldo Pinto Lima e Silva, known as “Ronaldinho Tabajara” or “R9,” who continues to direct the faction’s activities despite being incarcerated at the Federal Prison in Brasília. Francisco Rafael Dias da Silva, known as “Mexicano,” is identified as his main lieutenant within the community. The investigation identified 44 members of the organization, including commanders, armed guards, drug dealers, and lookouts responsible for monitoring access points.
Operation Contenção
Operation Contenção is a strategic initiative launched by the Rio de Janeiro state government to halt the territorial expansion of the Red Command (CV). The operation seeks to dismantle the faction’s financial, logistical, and operational networks while capturing key members involved in drug trafficking. Throughout its various phases, authorities have arrested more than 360 suspects and killed 137 individuals during armed confrontations. Police have also seized approximately 480 firearms—including 190 assault rifles—and more than 51,000 rounds of ammunition.
Analysis:
Operation Contenção reflects a broader shift in Rio de Janeiro’s public security strategy, moving beyond isolated police raids toward sustained campaigns designed to weaken the organizational capacity of criminal factions. By targeting command structures, financial networks, and logistical support rather than focusing exclusively on street-level drug trafficking, authorities are attempting to reduce the ability of the Red Command to expand into new territories. The investigation’s duration, spanning nearly two years, illustrates the increasing reliance on intelligence gathering to identify the hierarchy and operational dynamics of organized crime before launching large-scale enforcement actions.
At the same time, the incident demonstrates the persistent challenges of conducting police operations in densely populated urban environments. The injury suffered by a bus passenger and the disruption experienced by residents and visitors illustrate how confrontations between security forces and heavily armed criminal groups continue to expose civilians to significant risks.
