Brazil

PCC leader on the run since 2020, Nego Pio is arrested in SP

A man identified by the Civil Police as one of the leaders of the PCC (First Command of the Capital) was arrested this Tuesday morning (8) on a farm in the rural area of ??Araçariguama, in the interior of São Paulo. The...

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PCC leader on the run since 2020, Nego Pio is arrested in SP
CNN Brasil

A man identified by the Civil Police as one of the leaders of the PCC (First Command of the Capital) was arrested this Tuesday morning (8) on a farm in the rural area of ??Araçariguama, in the interior of São Paulo.

The boy’s identity was confirmed to CNN Brasil as Ricardo de Jesus Araújo, known as “Nego Pio”. He had been on the run since 2020, after being sentenced to 18 years in prison for qualified homicide.

In addition to him, the police also arrested a man who was his security guard and the property's caretaker. The action was conducted by Deic (State Department of Criminal Investigation).

According to the investigation, Ricardo was based in Favela do Sapé, in the Butantã neighborhood, west of São Paulo, and is identified as one of the main organizers of the purchase and distribution of weapons from Paraguay for the criminal faction.

According to the Civil Police, the person under investigation used a property structure to store weapons and maintained an intermediary company which, according to the investigation, would be used to operate the criminal scheme.

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According to the corporation, police surrounded the site and arrested the suspects without resistance. During the approach, the faction leader and the security guard were armed with .380 and 9 mm caliber pistols, both with the numbers shaved off.

During the operation, two motorcycles were also seized. According to police, one of them had a record of theft and the other showed signs of tampering. The caretaker took possession of the vehicles and was also arrested.

Investigations continue to determine Ricardo's involvement in the crimes of criminal organization, international arms trafficking, illegal arms trade, ideological falsehood and use of false documents.

The operation was carried out by agents from the 3rd Disccpat Police Station (Investigations into Crimes Committed Against Public Bodies and Services), after intelligence work that identified the suspect's whereabouts.

The report did not locate Ricardo's defense. The space remains open.

Source: CNN Brasil

This story was originally published by CNN Brasil. Visit the original publication for further details.

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