A former army corporal arrested for manufacturing illegal weapons specializes in rifles and teaches production

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This action is coordinated by the Specialized Police Center for Weapons, Ammunition and Explosives (Disarmament) and supported by the Civil Police of Paraná. In Rio de Janeiro, two factories were found used in the scheme, one in Nova Iguaçu and the other in Jabiri, also in Baixada.

Investigations showed that Cutrim, known as “The Professor,” taught other criminals – criminals who wanted to learn, repair and enhance weapons manufacturing techniques – how to produce weapons.

According to the company, in addition to receiving a monthly payment from the militia for services rendered, Cotrim sold weapons for between R$50,000 and R$60,000, depending on the caliber. He was in charge of the factory located in Nova Iguaçu, where a rifle was seized, a weapon that the police suspect was used by the militia and was undergoing maintenance in a secret location.

— Carlos is a former military man, participated in the mission in Haiti, and is an excellent mechanic, specializing in the manufacture of rifles and ammunition. These weapons were sold to militiamen for between R$50,000 and R$60,000, depending on the caliber. “He was arrested here, and we are inspecting their factory,” said delegate Luiz Otavio Franco.

The civilian police face difficulties in transporting the machinery used in manufacturing weapons. One piece of equipment weighs 2.8 tons and requires a specialist to dismantle it. Removal should take place on Friday only.

Carlos Henrique Martinez Cotrin served “in 2004, having been licensed in 2013, and therefore no longer belongs to the force’s staff,” the army said in a memorandum.

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By the end of this morning, five people had been arrested, four in Rio and one in Paraná. Investigations are conducted in both states and are aimed at complying with search and seizure warrants. According to the civilian police, the arsenals produced in the illegal scheme were supplying militias and drug traffickers.

In addition to Carlos Henrique, Jerónimo Amaral de Oliveira, who was also arrested in the operation, was directly involved in the arsenal manufacturing scheme.

In Ilha do Governador, weapons and ammunition were found in the home of Hamilton de Souza Gonçalves, including a rocket launcher, known as a bazooka. The weapons were registered as belonging to collectors, sporting shooters and hunters (CACs), but all were in illegal status. Also arrested were Evandro Luiz de Oliveira Araujo, in Rio, and Márcio Marcelo Ivanclo, in Paraná.

The operation, which is still ongoing, has resulted in the seizure of weapons, including four pistols, five pistols, a hunting rifle, a rocket launcher, two rifles, a 12-gauge shotgun and a 22-gauge shotgun. In addition, hundreds of pieces of ammunition were also collected. A rifle was seized at the factory in Nova Iguaçu, a weapon that police suspect was used by the militia and was undergoing maintenance in a secret location. In Parana, where two addresses were targeted, police estimate that more than 50 weapons have been found and should be brought to Rio. In the state, the group only manufactured ammunition.

*Trainee under the supervision of Laila Youssef.