BRAZIL: Police kill Erismar Rodrigues Moreira known as Bem-Te-Vi, the head of a drug-trafficking gang which controlled Rio de Janeiro's biggest slum in Rocinha

Record ID: 318278

  • Title: BRAZIL: Police kill Erismar Rodrigues Moreira known as Bem-Te-Vi, the head of a drug-trafficking gang which controlled Rio de Janeiro's biggest slum in Rocinha
  • Date: 30th October 2005
  • Summary: (BN16) RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (OCTOBER 29, 2005)(REUTERS) (DAY SHOTS) EXTERIOR OF CHURCH WHERE BURIAL CEREMONY TOOK PLACE POLICE OUTSIDE CHURCH (2 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 14th November 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVAEJIT195Z250ORF8Y3OKXEMSE4
  • Story Text: Police killed the head of a drug-trafficking gang which controlled Rio de Janeiro's biggest slum in a shootout early on Saturday (October 29).
    Erismar Rodrigues Moreira, known as Bem-Te-Vi, was the most wanted man in the crime-ridden city. He was known for carrying gold-plated weapons and was said to be popular with some in the Rocinha slum because he helped provide for their needs.
    He was quickly buried the same day.
    The clash had lasted about an hour in the early morning after a force of 100 police raided Rocinha in an operation called Trojan Horse aimed at arresting Moreira, aged 29, officials said. Traffickers fought back with rifle fire and grenades.
    "We were trying to capture him," said Rio's State Security Secretary, Marcelo Itagiba.
    "We launched an intelligence operation but unfortunately that was not possible given the reaction the criminal elements had and he died when he confronted the civil police of Rio de Janeiro."
    Moieira was shot in the head and chest. A gold-plated Glock 9 mm pistol was found at his side. Three slum dwellers were wounded in the clash and a fourth person believed to be a trafficker was killed.
    Police units stayed in Rocinha controlling entrances to the shantytown on Saturday but witnesses reported renewed gunfire in the afternoon, with residents running for cover. Residents talking to local media said they feared a power struggle could erupt in Rocinha in the next few days.
    State Security Secretary Marcelo Itigaba told government news agency Radiobras that undercover units had gone into the slum several days ago.
    Rocinha, with a population of about 100,000 people, is reputed to be the largest slum in Latin America. Bem-Tem-Vi was said to have controlled the drug trade there since April 2004, when police killed former chief Luciano Barbosa da Silva.
    Police investigations had linked Moreira to several top Brazilian soccer players.
    Gangs control most of Rio's slums, which are bases for the sale of cocaine and other drugs to Rio residents of all classes. Gang warfare often spills out in the streets, even closing main throroughfares in the seaside city.
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