Cargo Theft in Rio Down by 59 Percent in First Nine Months of 2019

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – In the first nine months of this year, according to the survey, compared to the same period last year, cargo thefts on the highway dropped by 59 percent, while vehicle theft rates were reduced by 41 percent. Street thefts also fell 52 percent.

According to the Federal Highway Police (PRF), the number of seizures conducted in 2019 is unprecedented. Silvinei Vasques, the PRF’s superintendent in the state of Rio, said the results include 563 recovered vehicles, as well as 208 weapons and 15,124 rounds of ammunition.

“With regard to drugs, we have already seized 769 kilograms of cocaine and 19.4 tons of marijuana. There are also seizures of R$1.5 million in cash; 2.1 million liters of fuel and 2.9 million packs of cigarettes. In total, 1,967 people have already been arrested by the Federal Highway Police this year” – the superintendent said.

The highway police also reported that the combined action with the city and state police strengthens policing and inspection in the main accesses to the state, mentioning operations “Lábaro” and “Rota Segura,” which aim to prevent the influx of narcotics, weapons, and munitions into the state.

Civil Police Records Crime Reduction

Recently, the Secretariat of Civil Police announced the reduction of cargo theft, due to the Integrated Target System.

According to the Robbery and Theft of Cargo Precinct (DRC/RJ), in the entire state, there was a decrease of 1,250 recorded cases of cargo theft in 2019 in relation to the same period last year.

For the entity’s undersecretary of operations, detective inspector Fábio Barucke, the coordination between the Rio de Janeiro police departments and the Federal Highway Police not only simplifies access to information but also strengthens the investigations of gangs and criminals operating in Rio de Janeiro.

“The work has progressed as information is cooperatively available between the police forces. This exchange is vital and is yielding good results, such as the seizure of narcotics, ammunition, and weapons.”

“This cooperation allows us to deepen our investigations even further, helping in a more solid and concrete way, especially when it involves other states. The results are the increase in seizures on the roads and inquiries regarding this type of crime,” said the official.