On February 13, São Paulo state authorities decided to move against the PCC (The First Command of the Capital)—Brazil’s most powerful and arguably deadliest drug gang. Twenty-two jailed leaders of the group—including kingpin Marcos “Marcola” Camacho—were transferred to maximum security federal prisons around the country, moving them away from the notorious Presidente Venceslau penitentiary in São Paulo state. This is the boldest move against what is an ever-growing criminal organization since 2006—when a confrontation between police and the gang sparked a running battle on the streets of São Paulo.
Over the years, authorities have been reluctant...
