Rio de Janeiro police seize the largest number of weapons in its history

Weapons seized by the Rio de Janeiro Police. /@PMERJ

Photo: @PMERJ

Nearly 1,000 firearms and thousands of ammunition that were illegally traded in Rio de Janeiro were seized by Federal Police agents, official sources reported this Friday.

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This is the largest arsenal seized by the authorities in the history of Rio, according to a police statement.

The firearms, including five rifles, three UZI-type machine guns, carbines, revolvers, pistols and “thousands of ammunition”, were being sold irregularly in two stores located in Baixada Fluminense, a depressed and violent sector. which groups several favelas in the metropolitan area of ​​Rio.

“The seizure of such a large amount of war materiel is of the utmost importance to prevent the possible introduction of firearms into the clandestine market and helps to weaken criminal organizations such as militias or criminal groups,” the Police statement said.

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The action, which took place last Wednesday, was an unfolding of an operation that began the previous month against the two stores, in which four people were arrested and 68 rifles and 12 revolvers were seized, in addition to ammunition.

The irregularities found by the authorities can be framed in the crimes of illegal trade in firearms, ammunition and accessories, and illegal possession of firearms, with sentences of 12 and 3 years, respectively.

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