On Friday, the Federal Police of Brazil initiated Operation Descarrilho to dismantle a criminal group suspected of stealing railway tracks from the former Brazilian Federal Railway Network (RFFSA). The stolen materials are considered federal property and are under the jurisdiction of the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (Iphan). The operation took place in the municipalities of Altos and Campo Maior in Piauí state, signaling the authorities' commitment to combating infrastructure theft that affects public heritage.

During the operation, agents arrested a 36-year-old man whose identity has not been disclosed and executed five search and seizure warrants in Campo Maior and in Muriaé, Minas Gerais. The judicial orders were issued by the 1st Federal Criminal Court of the Piauí Judiciary Subsection, reflecting the legal efforts to pursue those responsible for the theft. The operation underscores the collaboration between various law enforcement agencies in Brazil, including the Civil and Military Police.

This investigation was catalyzed by an earlier arrest in late 2025, where a truck driver was caught transporting approximately 80 bars of railway tracks on BR-343 in Altos. This initial arrest led the Federal Police to delve deeper into the crimes in conjunction with local police, revealing a wider network involved in the railway thefts. The implications of this case extend beyond the immediate arrests, as it highlights the ongoing challenges in protecting national infrastructure and the efforts being made to curb organized crime in Brazil.