Dozens of Brazil cops charged with corruption
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) — Brazilian law enforcement intelligence agencies responsible for combating organised crime have launched an operation against alleged corruption within the Rio de Janeiro state police force itself.
The Rio state security department says yesterday’s “Operation Purification” is the result of a year of investigation.
A press release from the security department says that of 65 wanted officers, 61 were arrested yesterday. Two others, for whom no warrants were outstanding, were also detained.
There are also warrants for 18 alleged drug traffickers, and 11 have been arrested so far.
Among the charges against the officers are that they have been taking monthly bribes from the Red Command, Rio’s most powerful drug-trading organisation.
Other charges include racketeering, kidnapping and extortion, stemming from officers allegedly kidnapping drug dealers and holding them for ransom.
