Brazilian Police Arrest Drug Lord Rogério 157, Pivot of War in Rio Slum

12/07/2017 - 11h07

The central figure in the most recent war in Rocinha slum, in Rio de Janeiro, drug lord Rogério Avelino da Silva, known as Rogério 157, was arrested on Wednesday morning, December 6, in the Arará slum, in the city's North zone, in a major operation that made security agents commemorate, but caused concern regarding the areas dominated by criminal gangs and violence as a whole in the state of Rio.

The arrest of the most wanted criminal in Rio de Janeiro occurred after disputes between drug dealing gangs left more than 20 dead and 14 injured in Rocinha since September.

Although Rogério's arrest was commemorated by Governor Luiz Fernando Pezão (PMDB) and praised by police officers, who even took selfies next to the criminal, it is far from guaranteeing stability in the biggest slum in Rio, as it was recognized by security forces.

"Rio's history shows that there are always other criminals who take over. That is why I repeat and I beg: there are factors in which we do not interfere," said Roberto Sá, the state's security secretary, who requested the aid of the Armed Forces (which have already set aside 950 men) amid the war in Rocinha.

The police do not discard the possibility of a new dispute for territories inside Rocinha again. Shots were heard in the slum on Wednesday morning, in what was believed to be a commemoration of Rogério 157's rivals.

Rogério 157 was being sheltered by the CV (Comando Vermelho) criminal gang which now controls drug sales points in Rocinha.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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	Reginaldo Pimenta/Raw Image/Folhapress
	Drug lord Rogério Avelino da Silva, known as Rogério 157, was arrested on Wednesday morning, December 6