In Rio de Janeiro on March 11, the police demolished a structure referred to as a "drug trafficking resort," believed to be a gathering place for drug traffickers in the city. Situated within the Israel Complex, a cluster of Rio favelas, the property featured amenities like an artificial lake, swimming pool, gym, barbecue area, and leisure space.
The establishment, constructed by Alvaro Malaquias, aka "Peixao" (Big Fish), one of Rio de Janeiro's most notorious criminals, was targeted for demolition according to authorities. The police executed arrest warrants against individuals linked to Peixao's criminal network, resulting in three arrests; however, Peixao himself remains at large.
Upon the police's early morning arrival at the Israel Complex, a confrontation ensued with suspected criminals who fired at security forces. Subsequently, for safety reasons, Avenida Brasil, a major city thoroughfare, was closed, and local bus and train services were temporarily suspended.
The police utilized heavy machinery to dismantle the illicit "resort," which was located in an environmental preservation zone and was believed to have interfered with a nearby river, as per a source familiar with the operation.
Peixao, described as an evangelical Christian, heads the organized crime operation in the Israel Complex, requiring his associates to adhere to the same religious beliefs, as detailed in the ongoing police inquiry. His faction, identified as Terceiro Comando Puro, adopts the Star of David as its emblem.