The Civil Police of Rio are investigating a new form of cargo robbery, a crime that has nearly doubled in recent months in the state. Historically used by criminal factions to fund their illegal activities and expansionist wars, this type of assault may now involve a new player: business owners themselves. Despite the decline of robberies in highways in Rio, a shift in the focus of criminals has raised red flags for investigators. Gangs are now targeting trucks carrying raw materials for industries, such as plastic derivatives and ferrosilicon — used in steel manufacturing.
This Content Is Only For Subscribers
To unlock this content, subscribe to INTERLIRA Reports.
Change in Focus
Although robberies in highways in Rio have decreased, a shift in criminal focus has caught the attention of investigators. Gangs are now targeting trucks transporting industrial raw materials, such as polyethylene, ferrosilicon, and even Munck trucks (used for unloading and hoisting operations). The involvement of business owners is under investigation by the Delegation for Cargo Robbery and Theft (DRFC). According to the police, because these are restricted-sale products, there is suspicion that business owners are ordering the stolen cargo and, in some cases, paying in advance for the crimes to occur.
Qualified Receivers
When non-consumer goods are repeatedly stolen, it indicates the presence of qualified receivers for this material. Ostensive policing and the presence of security forces on highways are essential. However, in cases where a specific receiver is involved, investing in investigations to dismantle the entire gang is crucial to disrupting the cargo robbery network.
Operation in Maré
The Rio Civil Police launched an operation on Monday (9) in the Maré Complex, in the North Zone of Rio. This is another phase of Operation Tourniquet, which combats cargo and vehicle robbery. Organized by the Delegation for Vehicle Robbery and Theft (DRFA), it was carried out in communities controlled by the rival factions Red Command (CV) and Third Pure Command (TCP), both active in vehicle and cargo robbery in Rio. Three people were killed in total — two suspects and one innocent person. Thirteen were arrested. Authorities seized six rifles, two pistols, and two grenades. A total of 68 stolen vehicles were recovered. Major expressways — Linha Amarela, Linha Vermelha, and Avenida Brasil — were closed due to the gunfire.
According to Public Security Secretary Victor Cesar dos Santos, cargo containing plastic derivatives has been recovered in Parque União and Nova Holanda, within Maré. These areas, along with the Alemão and Penha complexes and the Chapadão and Manguinhos favelas, are considered central hubs for distributing stolen cargo. In July, the Military Police thwarted an attempt by two armed criminals to steal a polyethylene shipment valued at R$300,000 near Manguinhos.
Speed Limiters
As part of its strategy to combat cargo robbery in the metropolitan area, the Military Police installed concrete blocks on four streets in the Maré Complex, located in Rio’s North Zone, at the end of September. Referred to as “speed limiters” by the corporation, these structures aim to restrict the entry of large vehicles, such as container trucks and car carriers, into the region. The measure is considered effective by security forces, prompting the Military Police to consider implementing this model in four additional communities, which have not yet been disclosed.
Losses of R$164 million
While robberies of unfinished goods have drawn the attention of investigators, food and electronics remain the most commonly stolen items in the state. According to data from the Federation of Industries of Rio de Janeiro (Firjan), losses from these crimes surpassed R$164 million by August alone, not including the costs of insurance, escort services, and crime prevention technologies.
Decrease in Robberies
Data from the Public Security Institute (ISP) reveal that the state of Rio registered 2,518 cargo robberies by the end of October this year, marking a 9% decrease compared to the first ten months of 2023. However, during the last available quarter, from August to October, there were 1,045 cases, representing a 96% increase compared to the same period last year.
Police Stations with the Most Cases
The five police stations recording the highest number of incidents by October this year were: the 60th DP (Campos Elíseos), 59th DP (Caxias), 21st DP (Bonsucesso), 54th DP (Belford Roxo), and 64th DP (São João de Meriti). All of these are located along major highways in Rio — Washington Luís, Avenida Brasil, Presidente Dutra, and Arco Metropolitano — and are close to significant industrial hubs.
Investment
According to Eduardo Rebuzzi, president of the Business Council for Logistics and Transportation of the Rio de Janeiro Commercial Association, companies spend about 15% of their revenue on crime prevention measures. These investments include technology, vehicle tracking, blocking devices, and various forms of vehicle armor.
Crime Logistics
According to Fábio Asty Dantas, head of the DRFC, cargo robberies are coordinated and executed by specialized gangs integrated into drug trafficking factions. Some factions have cargo and vehicle robbery managers working within an organized and specialized structure. They seize drivers, transport them to community interiors, transfer the stolen goods, and later release them. Over 80% of cargo robberies in the state follow this modus operandi.
Analysis:
The rise in cargo robbery in Rio de Janeiro, particularly targeting industrial materials such as plastic derivatives and ferrosilicon, reflects the increasing sophistication of organized crime. The suspected direct involvement of business owners in financing these crimes—often through advance payments—underscores a critical structural issue: the existence of a receptive market that incentivizes and sustains these illicit activities. This evolution in criminal methods demands thorough investigations to dismantle not only the direct perpetrators but also the economic beneficiaries of this illegal supply chain.
Beyond the economic impact, including losses exceeding R$164 million and rising security costs, the social consequences of cargo robbery are equally severe. Police operations in areas like the Maré Complex often lead to the closure of major expressways and intensify armed confrontations, disrupting the daily lives of residents and affecting state-wide logistics.
Effectively combating cargo robbery in Rio de Janeiro requires closer collaboration between security forces, the private sector, and civil society. Investments in intelligence gathering, cargo tracking technologies, and joint operations are crucial to targeting the specialized groups that fuel this illicit market.
