Pitico's Death in Rio: Drone Records Fatal Confrontation

Drug trafficker from Comando Vermelho, known as Pitico, was killed after a shootout with the Military Police

Last Tuesday, a Military Police drone recorded the moment Alexandro dos Santos Ezequiel, known as Pitico, was hit by gunfire during a confrontation with agents from the 9th Military Police Battalion (BPM) (Rocha Miranda) in Morro do Fubá, Rio's North Zone. The recording circulated on social media and spurred searches for information about the case.

Who Was Pitico

Pitico, 23, was identified as one of the "men of war" of the so-called Equipe Caos (Chaos Team), a group linked to the Comando Vermelho (CV) drug faction operating in Morro do Fubá. According to the police, he had an outstanding arrest warrant for four years in prison for drug trafficking association and had a criminal record for homicide and criminal association.

The Confrontation and Death

Military police officers went to Morro do Fubá after receiving information that criminals were gathering to plan an invasion of a rival community. Upon arrival, they were met with gunfire and returned fire. The drone showed Pitico with a rifle, surrounded by at least three accomplices, when he was hit. He was rescued and taken to Carlos Chagas State Hospital but did not survive.

Role of Equipe Caos

According to the police, Equipe Caos gathers "men of war" who obey orders from the CV leadership, including Edgar Alves de Andrade (Doca) and Carlos da Costa Neves (Gardenal). When they take over a community, they gain control of the region and are authorized to manage drug points. Members typically wear camouflage uniforms and, in some cases, exhibit military training.

Weapon Seizure

Next to Pitico, police found a backpack containing five rifle magazines and 41 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. The weaponry was registered at the 28th Police Precinct (Campinho). The seizure reinforces the firepower that Equipe Caos maintains in territorial disputes.

Context of the Territorial Dispute

Rio's North Zone, especially the areas of Fubá, Campinho, and Cascadura, has been the scene of confrontations between Comando Vermelho and Terceiro Comando Puro. Operations by the 9th BPM throughout 2024 aimed to contain the expansion of the CV into the West, Southwest zones, and Baixada Fluminense. Recent incidents, such as the hijacking of buses used as barricades, demonstrate the intensity of the struggle for territorial control.

With information from O GLOBO, R7, O Dia.