Eduardo Lima Franco, known as Dudu, the alleged head of the Comando Vermelho (CV) specialized in bank vault explosions and luxury home robberies, has been marked as a fugitive following a significant police operation on October 25. This operation was carried out by the Delegacia de Repressão às Ações Criminosas Organizadas e Inquéritos Especiais (Draco-IE), targeting criminal organizations across Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina. Among the 16 individuals targeted, seven were apprehended, including Augusto Leopoldo Vargas, Dudu's right-hand man, known for his expertise in opening safes using blowtorches, who was captured in Joinville.

Investigations indicate that Dudu played a crucial role in the planning and execution of robberies, selecting victims, financing logistics, and distributing profits among the gang members. He leveraged connections with narcotraffickers in Rio de Janeiro who provided essential resources such as stolen vehicles for getaway operations and tools for carrying out the explosions. The organized crime network facilitated the transportation of criminals from Santa Catarina to Rio de Janeiro for these high-stakes robberies, with one of the planned attacks reportedly targeting a location in Ipanema, a well-known neighborhood in the city.

The ongoing investigations and arrests underscore the efforts of law enforcement to dismantle organized crime operations in Brazil, particularly those involved in violent robbery schemes. The ability to plan and execute complex heists indicates a high level of organization within the CV, suggesting that significant resources are still at their disposal. The situation remains fluid as authorities continue to track down additional suspects involved in this sophisticated network of crime, which poses a considerable challenge to public safety and security in urban areas affected by such criminal activities.