Erismar Rodrigues Moreira (died October 29, 2005), also known as "Bem-Te-Vi", was a gang leader in the Brazilian slum Rocinha, in Rio de Janeiro. He was considered to be the most wanted criminal in Rio during his prime.
Erismar Rodrigues Moreira | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1975/1976 |
| Died | (aged 29) |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Other names | Bem-Te-Vi |
| Known for | Head of Amigos dos Amigos |
| Predecessor | Luciano Barbosa |
| Successor | Orlando Jose Rodrigues |
| Criminal charge(s) | Drug trafficking and smuggling, illegal distribution of cocaine |
Early activities
editMoreira's family moved from Ceará[1] to Rocinha looking for work. His father then left Moreira's mother and children, traveling south. Moreira joined his first gang, Comando Vermelho (Red Command), at age 14. He stayed with Commando Vermelho until early 2004, when he switched allegiances to Amigos dos Amigos (Friends of Friends), which then quickly took control of Rocinha.
Criminal career
editIn April 2004 Luciano Barbosa, the Amigos dos Amigos boss, was killed by police, and Moreira took his place, controlling cocaine-packing and selling. He gained the nickname Bem-Te-Vi. Moreira was known for his extravagant lifestyle. He often carried around guns needlessly and had several girlfriends. His band and himself had several gold plated pistols and assault rifles. His large gang had a complete hierarchy of various layers including bodyguards, security guards, contention keepers, soldiers, pushers, and watchguards.[2]
Always very ruthless, anyone crossing certain understood laws of the shantytowns or most certainly an undercover policeman caught by this gang would be brought to end by one choice from a number of possible gruesome deaths. The parallel power that dominates the favelas brings cops to one particularly popular execution within the underworld's street justice called the "micro-ondas" (micro-wave), which carbonises a body inside a flaming, gas-soaked stand of tires.
Moreira was alleged to have connections with prominent Brazilian soccer players (for example Júlio César, former Inter Milan goalkeeper), musicians and actors.[3] Moreira also gained the respect of the Rocinha populace by hosting expensive parties and defending the community. Moreira was killed by Police in Operation Trojan early in the morning of October 29, 2005.[4] Moreira was succeeded by his cousin, Orlando Jose Rodrigues, but was executed three days later by Antônio Francisco Bonfim Lopes and replaced by an unknown figure solely known as "Roca".[5]
References
edit- ^ "Bem-Te-Vi: de retirante nordestino a chefe do tráfico da Rocinha". Jornal Extra (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 11, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- ^ "Inquirer.com: Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes".[dead link]
- ^ "VEJA on-line". veja.abril.com.br. Archived from the original on November 1, 2007.
- ^ "Archives". Los Angeles Times. October 30, 2005.
- ^ "Inquirer.com: Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes".[dead link]