Rocinha has been in the news since last week’s announcement that BOPE would invade the favela in preparation for installing a Police Pacification Unit. One of the largest slums in Latin America, with an estimated population of 100,000 people, Rocinha was the last unpacified stronghold of drug traffic in Rio’s South Zone. For the past six years, Rocinha has been controlled by Antônio Francisco Bonfim Lopes, aka Nem, chief of the drug trafficking gang Amigos dos Amigos.
Rocinha
On Sunday it was reported that Nem checked into the public hospital in Rocinha after after mixing ecstasy and alcohol at his farewell party. The trafficker allegedly got on stage during the party and tearfully vowed to confront BOPE troops and resist the UPP.
Wanted poster showing widely circulated photo of Nem da Rocinha
Last night Nem was captured while attempting to escape Rocinha.
Translation of article “Traficante Nem, chefe do tráfico de drogas da Favela da Rocinha, é preso na Lagoa.” From O Globo, published November 10, 2011.
RIO – The trafficker Antônio Bonfim Lopes, aka Nem, chief of drug traffic in Rocinha, arrived today at the Gericinó Penitentiary Complex, in Rio’s West Zone. The trafficker Nem, along with other bandits arrested on Wednesday night in the Rocinha area, were taken to the prison in a police convoy on the city’s main expressways.