On November 11, four individuals were arrested in a significant operation conducted by the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ), targeting illegal bingo operators linked to infamous organized crime figure Rogério Andrade. The arrests, which were made in the neighborhoods of Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Barra da Tijuca, and Taquara in Rio's West and Southwest zones, were part of a broader investigation into organized crime led by the Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime (Gaeco). In total, six people have been indicted on charges of criminal organization.

This operation comes just one day after the release of explosive testimony from former military police officer Ronnie Lessa, who is serving a lengthy prison sentence for the murder of city councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes. In his interrogation, which was exclusively obtained by GloboNews, Lessa detailed the intricate web of illegal gambling operations and police corruption prevalent in Rio's West Zone, further highlighting the deep connections between organized crime and certain elements of law enforcement.

The crackdown on clandestine gambling operations is part of a wider effort by Brazilian authorities to combat organized crime and restore public safety in Rio de Janeiro, a city that has been grappling with escalating violence and corruption for decades. The arrests send a strong message about the commitment of the MPRJ to tackle not only illegal activities but also the systemic issues that allow these operations to thrive, raising questions about the extent of organized crime's influence in the region and the challenges law enforcement faces in dismantling such networks.