Overview
- Operation São Francisco executed more than 40 arrest warrants and 270 searches across Rio de Janeiro and neighboring states with roughly 1,000 personnel.
- Police detained at least 40 suspects tied to what they call the state's largest exotic-animal trafficking organization.
- Rescued species include monkeys, parrots, toucans, snakes, and threatened animals such as jaguars.
- Traffickers removed wildlife from natural habitats including urban protected areas, sedated them, and sold them in markets controlled by drug gangs.
- The rescued animals are receiving medical treatment as specialists and volunteer veterinarians prepare them for reintroduction, while inquiries continue into links with weapons smuggling.