São Paulo Prosecutors Charge 8 in Killing of Ex–Police Chief Ruy Ferraz, Citing PCC Order

Overview

• Filed on November 21, the complaint accuses eight suspects of qualified homicide, two attempted homicides, restricted‑use firearms offenses, harboring, and participation in an armed criminal organization.
• Prosecutors attribute the execution to the PCC leadership in retaliation for Ferraz’s decades of work against the faction, citing a 2019 letter that listed him for death.
• Investigators say the plot began in March with stolen vehicles, weapons purchases, and the use of safe houses across the Baixada Santista for logistics.
• Ferraz was ambushed as he left Praia Grande city hall on September 15 and killed by dozens of rifle shots, a getaway car was burned, and the attack generated two attempted homicides involving passersby.
• Five of the accused are in custody, two are fugitives, and one was released; evidence includes DNA tying Umberto “Playboy” Gomes to safe houses and phone messages linking organizer Marcos Augusto Rodrigues Cardoso to the team.