500 Soldiers Detained in Brazil Over 21 Missing Machine Guns

Almost 500 soldiers in São Paulo, Brazil, are confined at a military base, and authorities have confiscated their phones.

They are investigating the disappearance of 21 machine guns. These guns are high-caliber and very powerful.

All ranks at the base are under questioning. They aim to find crucial information.

Last week, an inspection found 13 .50 caliber and eight 7.62 caliber machine guns missing. These guns were not working, according to the military.

They were in the unit responsible for fixing or disposing of them. The missing guns are a big concern for local authorities.

The .50 caliber guns can shoot down planes and fire 600 rounds per minute. São Paulo’s Public Safety Secretary pledged full support in finding the guns.

The missing 21 guns are the largest loss from public supplies since 2009. This is according to Sou da Paz Institute, a group studying violence in Brazil.

They say the likely buyer of these guns is organized crime. A study by the institute found 323 weapons lost between 2015 and 2020, mainly handguns.

Background

This incident is not the first time that weapons have gone missing in Brazil. In fact, it’s an issue that has troubled authorities for years.

Sou da Paz Institute has been vocal about weak control over military and police armories. Their studies show that most lost weapons end up in the hands of criminals.

Brazil has a high rate of gun-related violence, further complicating the situation. Criminal organizations often use high-caliber weapons in their activities.

The disappearance of these machine guns raises concerns about public safety. This incident serves as another wake-up call for strengthening security measures in military bases.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error