CV and PCC as "terrorists": meet the crime bosses in Brazil

The United States Department of State announced, this Thursday (28), that it classified the Red Command (CV) and the First Capital Command (PCC) as "Specially Designated Global Terrorists".

The statement also states that the US intends to officially designate the two criminal groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations from June 5th.

The two factions have historical leadership inside and outside Brazilian prisons and are identified by authorities as responsible for schemes linked to drug trafficking, money laundering, murders and international operations.

Analysis: US could carry out military actions in Brazil | CNN PRIME TIME

Marcinho VP
The drug trafficker Márcio dos Santos Nepomuceno, known as Marcinho VP, is appointed by the authorities as the top leader of the Red Command, even though he is serving a sentence in a federal prison.

Born in Vigário Geral, in the North of Rio de Janeiro, in February 1970, Márcio moved as a child to São João de Meriti, in Baixada Fluminense.

According to his autobiography, "The Enemy's Criminal Law: Truths and Positions", published in 2017, Marcinho turned to crime at the age of 13 to get money and buy branded clothes.

According to the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro, the material confirms that Márcio dos Santos Nepomuceno, known as Marcinho VP, remains president of the faction - Reproduction
He was arrested in August 1996 and sentenced to 36 years in prison for killing and dismembering two rival drug dealers. Five years later, in 2001, one of his children was born: rapper Mauro Davi dos Santos Nepomuceno, known as Oruam (currently a fugitive from justice).

The nickname "Marcinho VP" was previously used by another drug dealer linked to organized crime in Rio de Janeiro: Márcio Amaro de Oliveira, former drug boss in Morro Santa Marta, who died in prison in 2003.

READ ALSO: Court denies São Paulo MP's request for preventive arrest of Oruam

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Dock or Bear
On the streets, Comando Vermelho maintains active leaders appointed as responsible for coordinating the faction in Rio de Janeiro.

One of the main names is Edgard Alves de Andrade, also known as "Bear".

Known as "Doca" or "Urso", Edgard Alves de Andrade is appointed as one of the leaders of Comando Vermelho - Hotline
According to security forces, he heads drug trafficking in communities dominated by the faction and is considered one of the most wanted criminals in the state, classified as "very dangerous".

A fugitive from the prison system, Doca is also investigated for more than 100 homicides, including executions of children and disappearances of residents.

In 2023, investigations showed that he had ordered the execution of three doctors and the attempted murder of a fourth victim in Barra da Tijuca, after the victims were mistaken for militiamen.

Who is Doca, CV's main leader in Penha and target of mega operation | LIVE CNN

Fernandinho Beira-Mar
Luiz Fernando da Costa is another historic leader of the Red Command and one of the most well-known criminals in the country.

Beira-Mar rose to organized crime as one of the main names in Comando Vermelho after establishing a vast drug distribution network in Rio de Janeiro and starting to control several points of sale in Rio's hills in the early 1990s.

Imprisoned since 2001, he was identified for years as one of the main operators of international drug and weapons trafficking linked to the faction.

The drug trafficker Luiz Fernando da Costa, known as Fernandinho Beira-Mar, in the lockup of the third Jury Court, at the Court of Justice of Rio de Janeiro - Fábio Motta/Estadão Conteúdo - 15.set.2009
Marcola
In the PCC, the main name mentioned by the authorities is Marcos Willians Herbas Camacho.

Born in Osasco, Greater São Paulo, in 1968, Marcola lost his mother at the age of nine and spent part of his childhood living on the streets of the capital of São Paulo, committing petty thefts in the Praça da Sé and Glicério region.

The nickname came from his youth, linked to his addiction to shoe glue. Later, he also became known as "Playboy" for his taste in imported cars, expensive clothes and luxury watches.

Marcos Willians Herbas Camacho, aka Marcola - Joedson Alves/Estadão Conteúdo
From 2002, after internal conflicts, betrayals and the murder of allies, including the death of his ex-wife and lawyer Ana Maria Olivatto, he assumed total control and became the top leader of the PCC.

Under his management, the faction expanded beyond prisons, consolidating itself in drug and weapons trafficking throughout Brazil and neighboring countries, even developing ties with the Italian mafia.

Despite this, Marcola usually denies to the courts that he is the leader of the organization.

PCC Leader: understand point by point the decision that freed Marcola - Jorge Santos/Oeste Notícias/Estadão Conteúdo - 07.nov.2005
Mijão
Sérgio Luiz de Freitas Filho, known in the world of crime as "Mijão", is appointed as the "number one" of the PCC (First Command of the Capital) on the streets and considered a "ghost".

According to the Public Ministry of São Paulo, he is part of the so-called "Final Tuning", considered the top of the faction.

Investigations also indicate that Mijão participated in plans to execute prosecutor Amauri Silveira Filho, a member of Gaeco.

"Mijão" is considered the PCC's number 1 on the streets and is part of the wing known as "Sintonia Final" - Reproduction
Gegê do Mangue e Paca
PCC leaders Rogério Jeremias de Simone and Fabiano Alves de Sousa were killed in 2018 during an ambush in an indigenous reserve in Aquiraz, Ceará.

According to investigations, the two had diverted shipments of cocaine linked to the faction in the Port of Santos.

The fugitive André de Oliveira Macedo was also named in investigations into the scheme.

Image shows Gegê do Mangue and Paca, PCC leaders, killed during an ambush in 2018 - Reproduction
Other names linked to the PCC
Investigations into the faction also cite other names that are or have been identified as leaders or important members of the PCC, such as:

Orlando Mota Júnior, the "Macarrão";

José Márcio Felício, the "Geleião";

André de Oliveira Macedo, the "André of Rap";

Gilberto Aparecido dos Santos, the "Fuminho";

Roberto Soriano, the "Tiriça";

Marcos Roberto de Almeida, "Tuta".

Source: CNN