Police lethality worsens in São Paulo, driven by deaths in the Baixada Santista region. Police lethality in the coastal region of São Paulo (including Santos) registered 28 deaths in the first quarter of 2026, the third-worst level in at least 14 years. The region was highlighted for its increase in deaths resulting from police actions and anti-drug trafficking operations, despite the overall reduction in robberies in the Baixada Santista area.
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Santos registers a 60% drop in vehicle theft and a 40.36% decrease in general robberies. Santos registered a significant drop in the main crime rates in 2026 (report up to May): vehicle theft fell by 60% (35 cases in 2025 → 14 in 2026), robberies in general decreased by 40.36% (498 → 297 cases). First-time cargo theft was zero, home robbery fell by 14.7%, and violent deaths fell by 35%, despite one additional case of rape.
10/05/2026 — Brazilian Federal Revenue Service seizes 341.75 kg of cocaine at the Port of Santos. Tax Analysts from the Federal Revenue Service seized 341.75 kg of cocaine at the Port of Santos on Sunday (May 10), as reported on May 11. The operation was carried out jointly with the Federal Police and the Brazilian Navy. The drug was hidden in the hull of a ship, marking the 3rd Customs Operation against trafficking in 2026. Navy divers were called in to inspect the ship and find the cargo.
11/05/2026 – Two men, aged 22 and 40, were arrested red-handed following a robbery at a convenience store in the early hours of Monday (11), in Ponta da Praia, in Santos, on the coast of São Paulo. With the duo, the police recovered the products taken from the establishment, cash, and a fake pistol (simulacrum) used in the criminal action. Military police officers were called to respond to the incident. At the scene, they discovered that the suspects had approached employees of the establishment before fleeing on bicycles.
11/05/2026 – Operation by the Military Police (PM) Tactical Force in Morro São Bento, in Santos, on the coast of São Paulo, ended with an exchange of gunfire between police and criminals on Monday night (11). After the confrontation, agents seized drugs and materials linked to drug trafficking. Despite the exchange of gunfire, no injuries were reported during the incident. After the confrontation, the criminals fled through the hill’s alleys.
13/05/2026 – The president of the Union of Employees in Cleanliness and Conservation Companies, Urban Cleaning and Green Areas of Santos and Region (Siemaco-Baixada Santista), André Domingues de Lima, was arrested this Wednesday morning (13) in a high-end property in the Embaré neighborhood, in Santos, on the coast of São Paulo. As determined by the Civil Police, André was the target of a preventive arrest warrant for the crime of attacking freedom of work. He is accused of threatening and forcing Terra Santos employees to remain on strike. The union leader claimed to be part of a criminal organization by coercing urban cleaning and garbage collection employees; three illegal weapons were found in properties linked to him.
