Rio Police Bust Network That Used Fake CACs to Buy More Than 10,000 Rounds

Overview

• The Desarme unit, which launched coordinated raids on Friday, executed temporary-arrest and search-and-seizure warrants in Rio das Pedras and began taking suspects to Cidade da Polícia for processing.
• Investigators say the group used falsified CAC (collector, sport shooter and hunter) documents to make legal-appearing purchases of ammunition and accessories over recent months.
• Authorities attribute more than 10,000 rounds of 5.56 mm and 9 mm ammunition and 33 magazines to the scheme, with purchases routed through a specialized supplier in Santa Catarina and directly from a manufacturer.
• Officers seized weapons and material during the operation, including two .556 rifles, grenades and a 3D printer used to make weapon parts, and arrested multiple suspects including two adults and one minor.
• Police say the probe aims to identify remaining participants and stop further illegal deliveries, a step that could reduce the flow of lethal rounds into faction-controlled areas and influence local violence patterns.