$2.4 million worth of weapons seized in deadliest drug bust in Brazil's history. Some belong to foreign armies
Image from the police action in the Vila Cruzeiro favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 28, 2025. Credit: Mauro PIMENTEL / AFP / Profimedia
Authorities seized 120 weapons during a recent anti-drug operation in Rio de Janeiro that left at least 121 people dead, the state government announced Saturday, according to AFP.
At least 117 suspected criminals and four police officers died in Tuesday's police raid on two favela complexes, according to the latest official tally, making it the deadliest anti-drug operation in Brazil's history.
The Rio de Janeiro state government announced that the operation saw “one of the largest seizures” of military weapons in a single day – 120 weapons in total, including 93 rifles, valued at 12.8 million reais (about $2.4 million).
In addition, authorities found ammunition, explosives, drugs and military equipment in the operation that targeted Comando Vermelho, one of the country's oldest and most powerful gangs, which controls large areas of Rio de Janeiro.
“A typical arsenal for a war scenario”
According to authorities, some of the weapons come from other countries, such as Argentina, Belgium, Germany, Peru, Russia and Venezuela, including models used in conflict zones, such as AK-47s and FALs. Some rifles belong to foreign armies.
“We are looking at a typical arsenal for a war scenario,” Rio de Janeiro Civil Police Secretary Felipe Curi said in a statement.
Curi said that the routes used by criminal groups to bring weapons into Rio de Janeiro will be investigated.
The police operation was condemned by some human rights organizations, and the United Nations (UN) called for an investigation.
Relatives of some of the victims claim to have complained of summary executions.
But polls show most Brazilians approve of the operation, which the state's governor, Claudio Castro, has described as a success against “narco-terrorism”.
The reaction of the Brazilian president
Even leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, accused by critics of being soft on crime, has tried to take a tougher stance against gangs in his reaction to the police crackdown.
“We cannot accept that this organized crime continues to destroy families, oppress residents and spread drugs and violence in the cities,” Lula wrote on the X platform.
He has introduced a bill to Congress that would provide for a 30-year prison sentence for members of criminal gangs.
On Thursday, Lula promulgated new legislative measures to combat organized crime.
