Recent shootouts between police in the state of Rio de Janeiro and members of the criminal group Comando Vermelho included the criminals' use of drones with grenades, which reminded many of a Brazilian military man who was arrested last year for teaching them how to use this modern weaponry.
However, his appearance was not a surprise to those who remembered the "Operation Buzz Bomb" in September of last year and the arrest of Marine Corporal Rian Maurício Tavares Mota, who was accused of assembling and piloting drones for Comando Vermelho.
The investigation that led to Operation Buzz Bomb was conducted by Brazil's Federal Police's Special Investigations Group, with the support of the Anti-Drug Repression Delegation.
The main blow to the organization seemed to have been dealt with the arrest of Tavares Mota, who was incriminated by a series of audio recordings to which the police gained access.
The operation carried out in the Alemão and Penha complexes, north of Rio de Janeiro, has already become the bloodiest in the country's history: 121 victims were officially reported, including four police officers, and 113 arrests were made following the police advance, which is part of Operation Contenção, through which the state is dealing with the expansion of Comando Vermelho, one of the country's most important criminal groups, in Brazil's former imperial capital.
One of the aspects that drew attention during the shootouts between the police and members of CV was the use of drones with grenades by these groups, which allowed them to hinder the advance of the uniformed officers and observe their movements.
The investigation of Operation Buzz Bomb also determined that the drones were used for monitoring tasks in the territories controlled by the gang.
In this case, the cooperation of the Brazilian Navy was also necessary, as one of the suspects was a member of this armed force.
Specifically, Operation Buzz Bomb aimed to deactivate the use of this type of weaponry by associates of Edgar Alves de Andrade, also known as Doca, who is currently a fugitive following the latest intervention by state forces.
The Federal Police teams that participated in the operation in 2024 were also met with gunfire from the CV factionists.
"This is a device that is placed on the drone, which releases the grenade, understand? It comes with a little cable holding the pin, yes?"
Four residents of the favela were injured, but, unlike what happened this week, at that time the officers decided to suspend their action to avoid greater bloodshed.
"We need to buy the dispenser, boss."
