Brazil moves 22 criminal organization leaders to federal prisons
The government of São Paulo transferred 22 inmates—all of whom leaders of the criminal organization Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC)—to federal penitentiaries. The prisoners were in the Presidente Venceslau prison, in São Paulo state. Among those relocated is Marcos Hebas Camacho, also known as Marcola, considered the criminal ring’s main leader.
In the request submitted to São Paulo prosecutors, investigators believe plans are being devised to attempt to set Marcola free. “Those targeted by the probe are believed to have spent tons of millions of dollars in this plan, with bulky investments in the purchase of armored vehicles, aircraft, war material and weaponry, and personal training,” the document says.
The rescue is said to be planned by Gilberto Aparecido dos Santos, an ally of Marcota known as Fuminho. Gilberto escaped from the São Paulo Detention House in 1999, and investigators believe he is currently based in Bolivia, the country from which he sends guns and drugs to Brazil and other parts of the world.
The prosecution also argue that the move would make it difficult for the ring to operate. “The relocation and the unprecedented isolation of the leaders of the criminal organization, its criminal bases, and its subordinates will make it difficult for their orders to reach other ring ,” the request reads.
In November last year, authorities had granted permission to have five other PCC leaders to maximum security federal units.
