On the morning of January 18, the Shock Battalion of the Military Police conducted an operation in Rio Verde de Mato Grosso, which led to the death of a 48-year-old man identified as 'Zaroio', who was suspected of drug trafficking. This incident marks the 10th death in 2026 resulting from legal intervention by law enforcement agents in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. According to the State Secretary of Justice and Public Security (Sejusp), the encounter escalated when the suspect reacted violently to the police officers' attempts to approach him.

The police report indicates that during their operation, officers attempted to detain Zaroio as part of their ongoing efforts to combat drug-related crime in the area. The suspect reportedly threatened the officers' safety, prompting them to respond with escalating levels of force, which is standard procedure under such circumstances. Despite efforts to subdue him safely, the confrontation led to a tragic outcome, and Zaroio was taken to a local hospital but did not survive.

This incident raises critical questions regarding police conduct during operations, particularly concerning the use of lethal force and the circumstances leading to such tragic outcomes. As the authorities continue to investigate the incident, community discussions around police practices and their implications for public safety and justice are likely to intensify, emphasizing the ongoing struggle against crime in Mato Grosso do Sul and the balancing act law enforcement faces within its operational framework.