Ligia Sanches, 44, also known by the nicknames 'Maleficent' and 'Loira', has been arrested in Itanhaém, a coastal area in São Paulo, Brazil, on suspicion of heading a criminal organization linked to the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), a notorious gang in the region. The arrest was made during a police operation executed by the Department of Drug Investigations (Dise), which focused on gathering evidence over the past weeks to effectively arrest her. The operation involved the execution of search and seizure warrants in areas identified as her operational influence.

Authorities classified Sanches as having a high-ranking role within the PCC, termed as being the 'general tuning' of the organization, indicating her significant managerial and coordinating responsibilities. The police have made it clear that Sanches's involvement in the gang was substantiated through extensive investigations, including the mapping of strategic conversations and technical analyses of phone records, which all contributed to the decision to apprehend her.

This case sheds light on the ongoing battle against organized crime in Brazil, especially in São Paulo state where gangs like the PCC have a strong control over drug trafficking and violence. The arrest not only highlights the efforts of the law enforcement agencies to tackle such powerful criminal entities but also raises questions about the broader implications of gang influence in local communities and the social conditions that enable such organizations to thrive.