In Colatina, a city in the state of Espírito Santo, approximately 600 families were left without internet access after drug traffickers cut the wires of legitimate internet service providers. This act was intended to coerce residents into purchasing internet services offered by the criminals themselves, thereby monopolizing internet access in the area. The local police quickly responded with an operation, arresting four suspects, including two adults and two minors, for their involvement in this scheme.

The police highlighted the immediate negative impact on the community as many residents were unable to work, study, or perform basic tasks online, such as banking transactions, without access to the internet. This coercive tactic employed by the traffickers not only disrupted daily life but also raised concerns about the law enforcement's ability to protect citizens from such criminal activities. Residents expressed frustration over the lack of alternatives and the pressure imposed by the criminal organization.

Further investigations revealed that these criminals are linked to the gang known as "Tropa do Urso," which operates under the larger network of the Comando Vermelho (CV). The involvement of organized crime in local internet services underscores a worrying trend where crime syndicates expand their reach into everyday basic services, further entrenching their power in vulnerable communities.