Argentinian weapons and money laundering: Comando Vermelho sought to expand its power from Brazil to Argentina
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The massive police operation in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, which left at least 119 dead, revealed the magnitude of Comando Vermelho's power, Brazil's most dangerous criminal organization. Among the most alarming findings, Argentine weapons used by the gang emerged, in addition to a financial and logistical network established in national territory since 2021.
According to a report by Mediodía Noticias,the drug cartel's arsenal includes FAL rifles, pistols, and machine guns of Argentine origin and manufacture, some of which were reportedly stolen from Batallón 603 “Fray Luis Beltrán” in Rosario in 2011, when 400 rifles and 26,000 bullets disappeared. At that time, far from seeking the real culprits, the sanction was directed at the personnel in charge of the arsenal.
Parte del arsenal de Comando Vermelho
Years later, shortages and new irregularities linked to that unit continued to be detected: for example, in 2015, the disappearance of 26,000 9 mm bullets from the same battalion was investigated, which led to the temporary closure of the facility and requests for reports from legislators.
The reopening of cases years later highlighted the political responsibility and the delay in investigations, always present during the Kirchnerist years.
A criminal network based in Nordelta, Palermo, and Santo Tomé
Judicial investigations confirmed that Comando Vermelho established an economic and money laundering structure in Argentina starting in 2021. Taking advantage of porous borders and gaps in financial oversight, the organization moved more than 500 million dollars through operations with crypto assets, smuggling, and shell companies.
"These groups are part of the new global organized crime. There have already been Comando Vermelho members arrested in Misiones, Córdoba, Greater Buenos Aires, and the Capital," a journalist from a media outlet warned.
Arrests in Córdoba and international connections
In February 2024, a joint operation between Interpol and the Argentine Federal Police resulted in the arrest in Córdoba of Diego Hernán Dirisio, cordobés involucrado en la provisión de armas al narcotráficothe main arms supplier for Comando Vermelho. The arrest took place while he was playing padel with his partner, Paraguayan model Julieta Vanessa Nardi, who is also wanted by the Brazilian justice system.
Both had international arrest warrants issued by Brazil and Paraguay and remain in custody awaiting extradition. For security forces, their case confirms the consolidation of Brazilian organized crime in Argentina.
A growing regional threat
The discovery of Argentine weapons in the hands of Brazilian drug traffickers and the detection of a multi-million-dollar money laundering network in the country confirm Comando Vermelho's infiltration in the Southern Cone.
At this moment, the leader of Comando Vermelho is being sought. Doca da Penha, who is 55 years old, is accused of 100 homicides and has 34 arrest warrants. He is the fourth historic leader of the organization, with ties to Venezuelan, Colombian, and Mexican cartels and an expansion of his power even into Argentina.
Doca da Penha
The advance of these structures highlights the weakness of border and financial controls in the region and demands a coordinated response among governments to dismantle the links of transnational drug trafficking that now threaten the security of all South America.
