Ceará Arrests Reach 41 in Crackdown on Forced Home Expulsions

Overview

• Police say five men were arrested in Maranguape on November 5 on suspicion of threatening residents with eviction, with cocaine, marijuana, crack, six phones and drug trade materials seized.
• A 25-year-old suspected in the Pacatuba expulsions was captured on November 6 after a Disque-Denúncia 181 tip, and officers recovered a 9mm pistol and 71 rounds.
• The Pacatuba suspect already responded for criminal organization, illegal gun possession, drug trafficking and receiving, and was booked again on organization, restricted-weapon possession and receiving.
• About 30 homes in Jacarezal remain deserted after families fled orders from criminal groups, leaving a ghost-like settlement with houses locked and belongings inside.
• Investigators are examining links to a territorial dispute involving Comando Vermelho, with Guardiões do Estado and Terceiro Comando Puro cited in shifts of local control, while statewide arrests for organized-crime involvement rose 86.6% to 1,851 from January to September.