Eight killed during Rio police operation, including drug kingpin

Latest News International News North & East Environment Business Bites Social Love Horse Racing World Champs Commonwealth Games FIFA World Cup 2022 Entertainment Art & Culture Tuesday Style Food Awards JOL Takes Style Out Design Week JA Black Friday Relationships Classifieds Motor Vehicles Place an Ad Jobs & Careers Study Centre Jnr Study Centre Advertorial Supplements Latest News International News North & East Environment Business Bites Social Love Horse Racing World Champs Commonwealth Games FIFA World Cup 2022 Entertainment Art & Culture Tuesday Style Food Awards JOL Takes Style Out Design Week JA Black Friday Relationships Classifieds Motor Vehicles Place an Ad Jobs & Careers Study Centre Jnr Study Centre Advertorial Supplements International News Business Bites Food Awards Entertainment World Champs Career & Education Environment Advertorial Supplements Classifieds Design Week Police officers patrol the area where a bus was set on fire allegedly by drug traffickers after a police operation in central Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 18, 2026. (Photo by Mauro PIMENTEL / AFP) International News, Latest News March 18, 2026 Eight killed during Rio police operation, including drug kingpin RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP)—At least eight people died Wednesday during a police operation against organized crime in Rio de Janeiro, including one of Brazil’s most-wanted drug lords, authorities said. Around 150 members of the city’s elite BOPE military police unit, backed by two armored vehicles, deployed in several favelas near the touristy Santa Teresa neighborhood targeting a prominent narcotrafficker.

“A major armed confrontation ensued,” leading to the death of the target, Claudio Augusto dos Santos, 55, identified as a key figure within one of Brazil’s largest criminal groups, Comando Vermelho (Red Command), said military police chief Marcelo Menezes Nogueira. Dos Santos had at least eight outstanding arrest warrants for kidnapping, drug trafficking, and homicide, Menezes Nogueira told a press conference. He described Dos Santos as “a ruthless and bloodthirsty drug trafficker” who had 135 criminal charges on record.

Police also killed six other suspected criminals. The eighth victim was a local resident who had been taken hostage along with his partner, who survived, Menezes Nogueira said. The fatality came when the hostage takers opened fire at police during talks to free the captives.

Officers also arrested 116 people and seized 21 guns, 105 kilograms of cocaine and 600 kilograms of marijuana, police said in a statement.

In retaliation for the police operation, a bus was set on fire on a major avenue in downtown Rio, and barricades were erected using other vehicles, AFP journalists witnessed.

“They boarded, told me to get the passengers off, and set the bus on fire. It all happened very fast,” the shaken driver, Marcio Souza told AFP, describing the situation as “horrible.” Menezes Nogueira said that Red Command members were behind the actions which caused traffic chaos in the city center.

Rio de Janeiro has long battled territorial control by criminal factions and residents are weary of violence and chronic insecurity.

In October last year, the biggest police operation in Brazil’s history saw officers clash with heavily armed gang members in military gear. At least 117 suspected criminals and four police officers were killed. Rights organizations slammed the raid, which President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called a “massacre.”

Polls, however, show that the majority of Brazilians approved of the operation and, as October elections loom, security has become the main concern for voters in the country. Also on Wednesday, Brazilian police launched a separate operation across 15 states targeting organizations linked to drug and arms trafficking. The police operations come as local media report that Lula’s government is lobbying Washington not to designate Red Command and the powerful First Capital Command (PCC) as terrorist organizations.

Brasilia considers the organized crime factions to be criminal and not terrorist organizations. A State Department spokesperson told AFP that both organizations pose “significant threats to regional security,” but that advance notice was not given on such designations. Tags: Brazil deaths Drug Kingpin {"jamaica-observer":"

Jamaica Observer"} 0 Comments · Make a comment ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER Latest News, News JDF coast guards receive four high-speed surface interceptor vessels March 18, 2026 KINGSTON, Jamaica — The country’s maritime security has been further enhanced with the acquisition of four high-speed Surface Interceptor Vessels. The... {"jamaica-observer":"

Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News NHF

Card expands coverage to 28 conditions, increases PSA testing and adds echocardiogram March 18, 2026 KINGSTON, JAMAICA — The National Health Fund (NHF) has expanded its NHF

Card programme to include four additional chronic conditions and increased acce... {"jamaica-observer":"

Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News Body of 17-y-o recovered after vehicle plunges into Rio Cobre March 18, 2026 KINGSTON, Jamaica — The body of 17-year-old Oniesh Derby, who drowned after the vehicle he was driving plunged into the Rio Cobre in St Catherine Mond... {"jamaica-observer":"

Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News ‘No scientific evidence to suggest John Crow population on decline’ …Reports of fewer sightings post-Hurricane Melissa largely anecdotal, says experts BY KELSEY THOMAS Online coordinator thomask@jamaicaobserver.com March 18, 2026 Amid public concerns about a possible decline in the local population of John Crows, formally known as turkey vultures, environmental experts say ther... {"jamaica-observer":"

Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, Sports JFF and Adidas agree to new deal potentially worth billions March 18, 2026 KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Observer understands that the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has agreed to a new long-term contract with Adidas, wh... {"jamaica-observer":"

Jamaica Observer"} International News, Latest News Lionel Messi scores 900th career goal in Inter Miami cup clash March 18, 2026

Fort Lauderdale

, United States (AFP)—Argentine superstar Lionel Messi bagged the 900th goal of his glittering career on Wednesday, scoring for Inter M... {"jamaica-observer":"

Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News Deveta McLaren appointed acting regional director for WRHA March 18, 2026 KINGSTON, Jamaica — Deveta McLaren has been appointed the acting regional director for the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA). The announcement ... {"jamaica-observer":"

Jamaica Observer"} Entertainment, Latest News ‘Aim for the uncomfortable’, urges Shaggy March 18, 2026 KINGSTON, Jamaica — Dancehall icon Shaggy says working on the new musical The Last Ship with Sting has taught him the importance of stepping out of hi... {"jamaica-observer":"

Jamaica Observer"} HOUSE RULES We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted.

We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read. Please don't use the comments to advertise.

However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email:community@jamaicaobserver.com. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Recent Posts Archives Please enable JavaScript to view the poll powered by Disqus.

Recent Posts Archives Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer.