In a significant move against organized crime, the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police arrested Celso Luís Rodrigues, better known as Celsinho da Vila Vintém, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Celsinho, a notorious figure in the drug trafficking landscape of Brazil, was apprehended in the Vila Vintém community located in Padre Miguel, a neighborhood in the western part of the city. His arrest is a key part of the ongoing Operação Contenção, an operation aimed at curbing the territorial expansion of the Comando Vermelho (CV), a powerful criminal faction.
According to police reports, Celsinho was allegedly forming alliances with rival factions to reclaim territories currently controlled by militia groups in Santa Cruz, an area also in the west zone. The operation represents a strategic effort not only to arrest traffickers but also to dismantle the financial, logistical, and operational structures of these criminal organizations.
Celsinho has a long and notorious history in the world of organized crime. He is considered one of the founders of the Amigos dos Amigos (ADA) faction, which rose to prominence in the 1990s. His criminal career began with cargo robberies on Avenida Brasil, and he quickly escalated to controlling drug trafficking operations in various communities, including Vila Vintém. His ability to navigate the treacherous waters of gang warfare has made him a prominent figure in Rio's criminal underworld.
First arrested in 1990, Celsinho escaped from prison in 1998 but was recaptured in 2002. He survived a violent rebellion in Bangu 1 prison, which resulted in the deaths of several gang leaders, including his rival, Uê. Following his recapture, he was sentenced to over 30 years for drug trafficking, criminal association, and homicide. After serving two decades, he was released in 2022, with claims that he had distanced himself from the drug trade and was focusing on a pig farming business.
However, investigations by the Civil Police suggest otherwise. Intelligence reports indicated that Celsinho was actively working to re-establish his influence in drug trafficking, collaborating with the Comando Vermelho, a notorious rival of ADA, to expand operations in areas dominated by militias. This alarming resurgence prompted the issuance of an arrest warrant on May 7, just a day before his capture.
The operation that led to Celsinho's arrest involved more than 50 police officers from various departments, including the 32nd DP (Taquara), the Delegacia de Roubos e Furtos de Cargas (DRFC), and the Subsecretaria de Inteligência (Ssinte). Residents of the area reported intense confrontations during the operation, highlighting the ongoing violence associated with drug trafficking in Rio.
As part of the effort to dismantle the criminal network, police have requested the blocking of over R$ 6 billion in assets linked to the Comando Vermelho. This financial crackdown aims to disrupt the economic foundations of the gang and hinder their operational capabilities.
Celsinho's return to the criminal scene raises serious concerns among law enforcement officials. His history of prison escapes and violent confrontations with rival factions underscores the persistent challenges facing the authorities in combating organized crime in Rio de Janeiro. The police are now ramping up efforts to prevent the reorganization of crime under his leadership.
In the wake of his arrest, the Civil Police have indicated that additional actions are planned to thwart any attempts at re-establishing criminal networks in the state. This ongoing battle against organized crime reflects the broader struggles faced by Brazilian authorities in maintaining security and public safety amid rampant drug-related violence.
Celsinho da Vila Vintém's story is emblematic of the complex and often brutal landscape of drug trafficking in Brazil. His rise and fall within the criminal hierarchy illustrate the difficulties law enforcement faces in dismantling entrenched criminal organizations. As the police continue their efforts to combat the Comando Vermelho and other factions, the impact of Celsinho's arrest remains to be seen.
With the stakes higher than ever, the authorities are determined to keep the pressure on organized crime, striving to reclaim control over the neighborhoods plagued by violence and drug trafficking. Celsinho's arrest is just one part of a larger narrative in Rio de Janeiro, where the fight against crime is ongoing and fraught with challenges.
