A man identified as one of the main leaders of the Third Comando Puro (TCP) in the Maré Complex, in Rio de Janeiro’s North Zone, was killed on Friday (26/09) during an emergency operation by the Civil Police. Edmilson Marques de Oliveira, known as Cria, rose to power in the community after the death of Thiago da Silva Folly, known as TH, in May. According to investigators, the confrontation followed an attempt by TCP traffickers to invade Morro dos Macacos, in Vila Isabel, with the aim of reclaiming territory now controlled by the rival Red Command (CV).
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Who Was Cria?
Edmilson Marques de Oliveira, also known as Cria or Di Ferro, was regarded as the leader of the TCP in the Maré Complex. He had more than 200 criminal records and was considered one of the most dangerous figures in Rio’s underworld. According to police, he commanded a so-called “drug trafficking court” that ordered executions in the community. It also had three outstanding arrest warrants. Authorities link him to several violent crimes, including the attack that left two BOPE officers dead in 2024. Within the TCP, he was seen as the group’s “man of war,” responsible for orchestrating territorial disputes and planning armed incursions.
Intense Shootouts
Police said they detected TCP members mobilizing to retake Morro dos Macacos from the CV and dispatched teams to stop the advance. During the operation, a fierce exchange of gunfire erupted, resulting in Cria’s death. Teams were also sent to Vila do João and Vila dos Pinheiros, where heavy gunfire broke out after officers arrived. At a press conference, Civil Police Secretary Felipe Curi reported that officers were attacked with rifles and that criminals threw a grenade onto the Linha Amarela, forcing the bomb squad to block traffic for safety. Two individuals were arrested during the operation, and authorities emphasized that the action prevented an escalation of territorial war between rival factions.
Linha Amarela Closed
The Linha Amarela remained temporarily closed at various points between the Linha Vermelha and Avenida Brasil throughout the morning. According to Rio Ônibus, 38 bus lines were affected, creating significant disruption to public transport. Criminal groups used trucks and other vehicles to erect barricades, further complicating mobility in the region. During the clashes, two people were taken into custody, and an employee at Bonsucesso Federal Hospital was injured by shrapnel. Authorities stressed that the closure of the highway was necessary to protect civilians while operations against the heavily armed faction were carried out.
Analysis:
The death of Edmilson “Cria” de Oliveira, a key leader of the Third Comando Puro (TCP) in Maré, reflects the volatile dynamics of Rio de Janeiro’s criminal landscape, where leadership vacuums and territorial disputes often trigger violent escalations. Cria’s attempt to expand TCP’s presence into Morro dos Macacos, an area under the control of the rival Red Command (CV), demonstrates the persistent cycle of conflict between factions competing for strategic drug trafficking territories. From a public security perspective, the police operation prevented a broader territorial clash but caused significant collateral effects, including road closures, disruptions to bus services, and risks to civilians caught in crossfire.
In the short term, Cria’s death may weaken the TCP in Maré, yet history shows that criminal groups in Rio are quick to replace fallen leaders, often with figures who adopt even more aggressive strategies. Without sustained efforts that combine intelligence-driven policing, territorial control, and social investment, violent confrontations between rival groups are likely to continue, perpetuating instability and insecurity across the city.
