Latest news with #MarcosRobertodeAlmeida
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Straits Times
Brazilian drug lord imprisoned in Brasilia after arrest in Bolivia
BRASILIA - The leader of Brazilian organized crime syndicate PCC has been jailed in a maximum-security prison in Brasilia after his arrest in Bolivia over the weekend, officials in Brazil said on Monday. Drug-trafficker Marcos Roberto de Almeida, known as Tuta, was expelled from Bolivia after negotiations between the two countries so that Brazil could enforce his 12-year prison sentence for conspiracy, racketeering and money laundering, Brazil's minister of Justice, Ricardo Lewandowski, said. Almeida was arrested in Bolivia when he tried to renew his foreign registration using a false Brazilian document. He had been on the run for five years and Interpol had issued a notice for his arrest. Almeida was identified through biometrics after investigators cross-referenced the Federal Police and Interpol databases. The PCC leader was then handed over to the Federal Police in the border town of Corumba, from where he was taken to Brasilia in a police aircraft. Almeida is being held in the same federal penitentiary as another PCC leader, Marcos Camacho, known as Marcola, officials said, adding that there will be no contact between the two associates. "The penitentiary (in Brasilia) is the safest," said Lewandowski, referring to the Penitenciaria Federal de Brasilia. "There is no danger of contact between them and other gang members. Such contact is impossible." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
19-05-2025
- The Star
Brazilian drug lord imprisoned in Brasilia after arrest in Bolivia
BRASILIA (Reuters) -The leader of Brazilian organized crime syndicate PCC has been jailed in a maximum-security prison in Brasilia after his arrest in Bolivia over the weekend, officials in Brazil said on Monday. Drug-trafficker Marcos Roberto de Almeida, known as Tuta, was expelled from Bolivia after negotiations between the two countries so that Brazil could enforce his 12-year prison sentence for conspiracy, racketeering and money laundering, Brazil's minister of Justice, Ricardo Lewandowski, said. Almeida was arrested in Bolivia when he tried to renew his foreign registration using a false Brazilian document. He had been on the run for five years and Interpol had issued a notice for his arrest. Almeida was identified through biometrics after investigators cross-referenced the Federal Police and Interpol databases. The PCC leader was then handed over to the Federal Police in the border town of Corumba, from where he was taken to Brasilia in a police aircraft. Almeida is being held in the same federal penitentiary as another PCC leader, Marcos Camacho, known as Marcola, officials said, adding that there will be no contact between the two associates. "The penitentiary (in Brasilia) is the safest," said Lewandowski, referring to the Penitenciaria Federal de Brasilia. "There is no danger of contact between them and other gang members. Such contact is impossible." (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia; Editing by Manuela Andreoni and Matthew Lewis)
18-05-2025
A leader of the largest crime organization in Brazil arrested in Bolivia, authorities say
SAO PAULO -- Brazilian and Bolivian police arrested one of the leaders of Brazil's biggest criminal organization s in eastern Bolivia after nearly five years on the run, authorities said Saturday. Marcos Roberto de Almeida had been an international fugitive since 2020 after being sentenced to 12 years in prison in Brazil for crimes including criminal organization, money laundering and drug trafficking. Brazil's Federal Police said in a statement that Almeida was arrested Friday in Santa Cruz de La Sierra in Bolivia in a joint operation with Bolivian police and Interpol. It wasn't immediately clear if Almeida had legal representation. According to Brazilian authorities, Almeida presented a false identity document at a police station in Bolivia while addressing immigration issues. Bolivian authorities detected forgery and contacted Interpol and Brazilian police in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. 'Once his true identity was confirmed, he was detained by Bolivia's Special Force to Combat Organized Crime,' Brazil's Federal Police said in a statement. Almeida is one of the leaders of First Capital Command, widely known by its Portuguese initials PCC, which is Brazil's biggest and most powerful organized crime group. It was founded in 1993 by hardened criminals inside Sao Paulo's Taubate Penitentiary to pressure authorities to improve prison conditions. It quickly started using its power to direct drug dealing and extortion operations on the outside. The Federal Police said in a press release that Almeida was one of the main coordinators of an international money laundering scheme linked to the criminal organization and was on Interpol's Red Notice list. Brazilian authorities said that a hearing with Almeida in Bolivia on Sunday will determine whether he'll be transferred to Brazil or face charges for using a false document in the country. If expelled, he could return to Brazil within hours or days, depending on arrangements between both countries. If a formal extradition process is required, it may take longer, depending on Bolivian judicial procedures.
Toronto Star
17-05-2025
- Toronto Star
A leader of the largest crime organization in Brazil arrested in Bolivia, authorities say
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian and Bolivian police arrested one of the leaders of Brazil's biggest criminal organization s in eastern Bolivia after nearly five years on the run, authorities said Saturday. Marcos Roberto de Almeida had been an international fugitive since 2020 after being sentenced to 12 years in prison in Brazil for crimes including criminal organization, money laundering and drug trafficking.
Winnipeg Free Press
17-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
A leader of the largest crime organization in Brazil arrested in Bolivia, authorities say
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian and Bolivian police arrested one of the leaders of Brazil's biggest criminal organization s in eastern Bolivia after nearly five years on the run, authorities said Saturday. Marcos Roberto de Almeida had been an international fugitive since 2020 after being sentenced to 12 years in prison in Brazil for crimes including criminal organization, money laundering and drug trafficking. Brazil's Federal Police said in a statement that Almeida was arrested Friday in Santa Cruz de La Sierra in Bolivia in a joint operation with Bolivian police and Interpol. It wasn't immediately clear if Almeida had legal representation. According to Brazilian authorities, Almeida presented a false identity document at a police station in Bolivia while addressing immigration issues. Bolivian authorities detected forgery and contacted Interpol and Brazilian police in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. 'Once his true identity was confirmed, he was detained by Bolivia's Special Force to Combat Organized Crime,' Brazil's Federal Police said in a statement. Almeida is one of the leaders of First Capital Command, widely known by its Portuguese initials PCC, which is Brazil's biggest and most powerful organized crime group. It was founded in 1993 by hardened criminals inside Sao Paulo's Taubate Penitentiary to pressure authorities to improve prison conditions. It quickly started using its power to direct drug dealing and extortion operations on the outside. The Federal Police said in a press release that Almeida was one of the main coordinators of an international money laundering scheme linked to the criminal organization and was on Interpol's Red Notice list. Brazilian authorities said that a hearing with Almeida in Bolivia on Sunday will determine whether he'll be transferred to Brazil or face charges for using a false document in the country. If expelled, he could return to Brazil within hours or days, depending on arrangements between both countries. If a formal extradition process is required, it may take longer, depending on Bolivian judicial procedures.
