Brazillian Criminal Organization Takes Control in Manaus
A criminal gang made up of thirteen members from Manaus coordinates actions and answers to the original leadership in Rio de Janeiro.
Law enforcement authorities interviewed by Bram Ebus said that the CV has been overcoming enemies by dominating the criminal activity in the region, such as the PCC (First Command of the Capital) and ‘Os Crias, a faction mostly comprised of young criminals.
The current goal of the Red Command is to obtain criminal supremacy in the Three Borders region, with hopes of expanding to Colombia and Peru, a faction member told the Crisis Group.
The faction aims to control the cocaine supply chain from the coca fields in Peru to the trafficking routes in Colombia and the Amazonian regions of Brazil.
It is estimated that 70% of the cocaine and coca paste produced in Peru is trafficked to Brazil, while about 30% is taken to Ecuador, mainly via the Napo River.
In a region marked by extreme poverty and lack of job opportunities, traffickers recruit young people into their ranks.
In a troubling development, a criminal organization with roots in Rio de Janeiro is expanding its influence to Manaus, a city in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. The group, known as the Red Command (CV), has a tight grip on the criminal activities in the region, surpassing rival factions like the PCC and ‘Os Crias.
Authorities have expressed concerns about the CV’s plans to establish dominance in the lawless Three Borders region, with ambitions to spread its operations to Colombia and Peru. This expansion would give the faction control over the lucrative cocaine trade, from its production in the coca fields of Peru to its distribution in Colombia and Brazil.
The CV’s presence in Manaus has raised alarms about the recruitment of vulnerable young people into a life of crime, offering them opportunities that are scarce in impoverished communities. The group’s growing influence is a challenge for law enforcement agencies, as they struggle to combat the violence and corruption associated with organized crime in the region.
As the Red Command continues to expand its criminal network, authorities are working to dismantle the organization and bring its leaders to justice. The battle for control of Manaus’s underworld is far from over, and the outcome will have far-reaching implications for the region’s security and stability.
Overall, the situation in Manaus serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by organized crime in Brazil and the urgent need for decisive action to address this growing threat.
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