A crackdown by the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro in the Maré favela complex resulted in the seizure of approximately 48 tons of drugs. The narcotics were stored in a drug trafficking bunker in the Nova Holanda slum. According to the state government, this is the largest drug seizure in Brazilian history.

The operation started on Tuesday (Apr. 7) and was completed early Wednesday morning (8). Police located the drugs with the help of sniffer dogs. Officers also confiscated five rifles and four handguns, in addition to recovering 26 stolen vehicles. One suspect was arrested.

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In the view of Commander-General Colonel Sylvio Guerra, the record seizure is the result of a “surgical operation.” He also highlighted the level of technical and operational expertise employed.

“Through planning, intelligence, and the specialized work of the K-9 Unit and all units involved in the operation, we achieved a significant result in weakening criminal organizations, and, most importantly, without collateral damage,” he said in a statement.

The 48 tons of drugs were valued at around BRL 50 million. Guerra views the operation as “a major blow” to drug trafficking.

The operation was carried out in the Nova Holanda and Parque União favelas, with the participation of approximately 250 military officers.

Record

According to the Military Police, intelligence reports led officers to locate a shipping container used by drug traffickers to store drugs in the early hours of the operation. At the site, they seized vials and some 200 liters of the inhalant drug known as “lança-perfume,” as well as materials used in its production.

The officers continued the search by raiding the favelas, when K-9 Unit agents identified a suspicious facility. There, they found a “drug trafficking bunker” containing more than 24 thousand slabs of marijuana, each weighing approximately two kilograms. The contraband was taken away in cargo trucks.