SUMMARY
The First Public Security Forum, held in Rio de Janeiro on October 23, focused on the issue of cargo theft, presenting the most up-to-date data for the state of Rio de Janeiro, covering the period from January to September 2024. The figures were presented and discussed by Police Chief Fábio Asty, head of the Cargo Theft and Robbery Division (DRFC), a department specialized in combating this crime. Representatives from major industries, retail companies, and logistics firms, both from within the state and outside it, attended the event and shared their perspectives and challenges.
Among the main barriers to reducing these crimes, several key points were highlighted, including the infiltration of criminals within companies, whether through the recruitment of employees or flaws in hiring processes. The importance of basic security measures, such as performing background checks before hiring and establishing clear safety protocols, was emphasized. Similarly, the need for more dynamic information exchange between public institutions responsible for law enforcement and victimized companies was highlighted to ensure that criminals are punished and removed from the streets.
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Data and Prospects for Improvement
The data presented by Police Chief Asty also included a comparison between the numbers of 2024 and those from 2023, revealing a positive trend in the reduction of cargo thefts. From 2019 to 2023, there was a 56.7% decrease, with the total number of incidents falling from 7,456 to 3,224. This improvement was gradual, with varying reductions year on year, with the most significant drop observed between 2019 and 2020, when the pandemic significantly impacted cargo flows and, consequently, crime statistics.
In the 2024 comparison, up to September, there were 2,090 cargo thefts, a 13.6% decrease compared to the same period last year, which saw 2,557 incidents. However, it is important to note that, due to the seasonal increase in crime during the end-of-year festive months, the final total may differ.
Geographical Concentration of Crimes
From January to September 2024, Rio de Janeiro city accounted for 51.44% of the cargo thefts in the state, with key commercial, industrial, and logistical areas, as well as important highways like the RJ-101, BR-40, and Avenida Brasil, being focal points. The city remains by far the largest hub for cargo thefts in the state. Other municipalities with significant crime rates include Duque de Caxias, Belford Roxo, São João de Meriti, and Nova Iguaçu, which together accounted for 39.82% of incidents. The top five cities account for a staggering 91.24% of all cargo thefts in the state, leaving only 8.76% of the incidents distributed among the remaining cities in Rio de Janeiro.
Moreover, the main routes for cargo transport are also the most targeted by criminals. The Avenida Brasil, a 58-kilometer stretch of the BR-101 highway running through the city, is the most frequently mentioned, followed by other strategically important roads like Avenida Pastor Martin Luther King. These roads are plagued by factors that favor criminal activity, including areas controlled by organized crime, multiple access points, and difficulties in constant monitoring by security forces.
Profile of the Criminals and Their Tactics
According to the Police Chief Asty, cargo thefts are never random; they are carefully planned. Criminals often receive inside information from infiltrated employees, which includes details about security measures, the type and value of the cargo, vehicle models, and GPS locations. The financial rewards for such thefts can be substantial, often amounting to tens of thousands of reais.
Targeted vehicles carrying cargo are rarely stationary during a robbery.. Most thefts take place while the vehicle is in motion, with motorcycles being used in 66% of cases, followed by cars (19%) and on foot (7%). The criminals are usually armed, often with assault rifles or pistols, and sometimes even explosives. These explosives, such as TNT, may also be used to break the armor of some vehicles to access the cargo.
In more than 50% of the cases, the criminals make use of GPS signal jammers, which block the vehicle’s tracking system. According to the head of the DRFC, over 90% of cargo thefts are committed by members of organized crime factions, which take more than 50% of the profits. These criminal groups provide essential support, including weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and personnel for the heists. They also ensure protection during the unloading of stolen goods, which typically occurs in areas controlled by the factions.
Types of Targeted Cargo
According to this year’s data, the most stolen type of cargo in Rio de Janeiro is food, accounting for more than 28% of thefts. Other high-value targets include tobacco, mixed cargo, household appliances, beverages, e-commerce goods, medicines, electronics, cosmetics, textile products, lubricants, and automotive parts. Although food items have the lowest average loss per theft (R$ 56,301), they are the most frequently stolen, with 321 incidents reported by September 2024. On the other hand, lubricants are among the highest value items, with an average loss of R$ 195,320, totaling R$ 5,860,625 in damages from only 30 thefts.
Challenges and Best Practices
Despite progress in reducing incidents in recent years, Police Chief Asty argues that the complete eradication of cargo thefts remains an unrealistic goal. Law enforcement efforts continue to focus on mitigating and reducing these crimes. Therefore, while progress has been made, the implementation of security measures by companies becomes crucial—not only in collaborating with public security agencies but also in reducing the attractiveness of their cargoes to criminals.
The most significant challenge is the infiltration of criminals within transport and logistics companies. Many companies are unprepared and fail to identify insiders, either due to a lack of evidence or because they are unaware that such evidence exists. Strengthening the hiring process to avoid the recruitment of individuals with criminal connections is, therefore, vital. In this regard, background checks, such as those offered by INTERLIRA, are essential.
Another essential measure is the establishment of clear security protocols in workplaces, ensuring these are properly communicated and punishing those who fail to comply. These measures not only reduce information leaks and misconduct but also provide the necessary evidence in case of a police investigation or criminal proceedings.
However, these rules would only have a significant impact if they were combined with security technologies at workplaces and on vehicles. The installation of cameras, alarms, trackers, and locks can prevent thefts and generate evidence against the criminals and the insiders. This facilitates investigations and increases the chances of arrests, convictions, and the dismantling of specialized criminal gangs.
Additionally, improving collaboration between companies and public law enforcement agencies would significantly improve investigations and help prevent individuals involved in crimes from continuing to work for other companies or being rehired.
One of the police’s most pressing requests to federal legislators is to restrict the sale of GPS signal blockers. Currently, these devices are widely available without regulation, but police argue that, due to their capabilities, they should be controlled.
Criminals also adapt and seek out new ways to commit the crimes more effectively. One of the challenges is keeping laws and law enforcement updated to address these evolving tactics. For example, to avoid harsher penalties and a higher risk of capture, criminals have started recruiting truck drivers to divert cargo. The recruited drivers present fake delivery receipts to the companies but instead deliver the cargo to the criminals. If caught, the truck driver is convicted of a lesser offense embezzlement, and not theft), carrying a lighter penalty.
