MP targets bingos linked to the Jogo do Bicho summit in Rio

Two clandestine bingos linked to the financial structure of the new Jogo do Bicho dome were the target of an operation by the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro this Tuesday (10). The Court issued seven search and seizure warrants against those responsible for the establishments, located in the north of the capital.

According to the Public Ministry, the bingos are linked to criminals Rogério de Andrade, patron of the samba school Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel; Vinicius Drumond, son and heir to the game points of Luizinho Drumond, who was patron of the Empress Leopoldinense; and Adilson Oliveira Coutinho Filho, known as Adilsinho, patron of Acadêmicos do Salgueiro.

Rogério de Andrade and Adilsinho were convicted by the courts and are serving sentences in federal prisons. Adilsinho is also accused of selling illegal Paraguayan cigarettes in Rio de Janeiro.

The warrants were issued by the 2nd Court Specializing in Criminal Organizations. The operation aims to gather new evidence, deepen investigations and identify other members of the criminal group.

The establishments had already been closed in an operation on August 6 of this year, but recently reopened. At Gaeco's request, the Court once again ordered the interdiction of the properties and the allocation of movable assets used by the criminal organization to the Military Police Special Operations Command (COE), among other measures.

During the operation, 212 slot machines and R$12,000 in cash were seized at Tijuca bingo. At the Praça da Bandeira establishment, another 110 machines were collected.

Nine people were arrested and taken to the police station to give statements about the operation of the establishments and the illegal exploitation of gambling.