Monday, May 9, 2011

Brazil’s Leading Criminal Mastermind


Luiz Fernando da Costa’s workday is a short one, beginning well after lunch and ending just before dinner.


But, during those short business hours he’s able to plan and supervise the purchase, sale and distribution of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and marijuana. And not only that: he often orders the murder of officials, competitors, and wayward subordinates before being returned to his cell.

That’s right, his cell.


Luiz Fernando da Costa better-known to most Brazilians as Fernadinho Beira-Mar (Little Fernando Seaside – because he’s short in stature and comes from Rio de Janeiro) is one of the country’s most dangerous criminals. 

And he’s been living in a (so-called) maximum security prison for the last ten years.

Every country has prisons designed to incarcerate and neutralize people like him.
If he was in the United States, living in an equivalent institution (a supermax) he wouldn’t even be able to manage a business the size of this:



But here, in Brazil, Fernandinho is The Man, the mastermind behind an extensive criminal network.

And every time the authorities try to checkmate him, he comes up with another solution for getting his orders out of the six square meter cell in which he lives and onto the street.


First, it was by way of cell phones, obtained by bribing his guards.


In 2002, he used one to organize the largest prison riot in the history of Bangu 1, the place he was imprisoned at the time. To make sure it didn’t happen again, he was constantly moved from prison to prison, and his guards were constantly changed.

But it did happen again. In 2006, while at the Federal Police Jail in Brasilia, he was caught using another cell phone, this time to pass text messages.

So they moved him here:




to “cellphone proof” quarters at the new Catanduvas Prison in Paraná.

And, since he’s been sentenced to 120 years behind bars, and he’s never again going to be able to use a cell phone, that should have been the end of him, right?

Wrong.

He started passing instructions verbally. At the time, legislation didn’t permit monitoring the conversations of visitors.

So they changed the law.

Fernandinho countered by getting married. Could he do that from jail? Yes, he could. Why would he want to? Because prisoners in Brazil are entitled to (unmonitored) conjugal visits twice a month.




 But the authorities caught his new wife supervising, under Fernandinho’s orders, the traffic of drugs from Paraguay to Rio. They imprisoned her in 2007. That put an end to conjugal visits.

So Fernandinho switched to giving instructions by mail. How could he do that? Well, because, in Brazil, the mail of prisoners can only be opened through judicial intervention.

So the authorities got judicial intervention.
And that fixed him, didn’t it? Well…no.

He’s still permitted to take exercise and visit with other prisoners for two hours a day.
And he spends most of that time talking.
But the law prohibits his minders from listening in on those conversations.

Video surveillance, however is permitted. So cameras were installed and lip-readers put in place.
It didn’t help.
These days, Fernandinho only talks to other prisoners with a hand in front of his mouth.
And, he uses those other prisoners, and their visitors, as intermediaries between him and his henchmen in Rio.


All of which goes to prove that, in Brazil at least, you can’t keep a bad man down.
If I were to write all of this in one of my novels, you wouldn’t believe me, would you?

Stay tuned for further developments.


Leighton - Monday

8 comments:

  1. Leighton, amazing! A mastermind indeed. Fictionally, he is worthy company for the greatest comic book villains--the Joker, Lex Luther. You could put him in a graphic novel, maybe. Why do his henchmen still obey his orders? Why hasn't someone replaced him by now? What a strory!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can only imagine how far up the food chain his bribes go. Whatever money the prison guards received would be nickels and dimes in the (American) world.

    The Boston area is pleased that one of our locals is on the FBI's ten most wanted list. James "Whitey" Bulger ran South Boston, the Irish-American enclave. Bulger controlled everything including the drugs that have caused so much damage for a few generations. He has ordered the deaths of more people than even the FBI is aware. One of those whose killing he ordered, and some suggest committed himself, was the daughter of the woman who was his girlfriend at the time.

    One of the most famous Whitey stories is about the time he visited a family who had just opened a liquor store. As I recall, they refused to use Whitey's distribution system to stock their shelves. Whitey paid them a visit one day. He lifted their very young daughter onto his lap and then told the parents what he would do to her if they didn't rethink their position. They had no doubt that Whitey would kill her. They moved out of the area the next day.

    This story is courtesy of the FBI. Whitey has been on the most wanted list for many years. But his association with that august body goes far deeper. An agent with the FBI, John Connolly, was on Whitey's payroll. For years, arrest warrants would be in place but when the FBI showed up to arrest him, he was gone. Connolly made sure Whitey was always ten steps ahead of justice.

    Then, when Connolly was arrested, he revealed that his relationship with Bulger was a two-way street. Bulger was an informant. Imagine how many people were getting money to keep Whitey's business going.

    Bulger disappeared over twenty years ago with his mistress/common law wife Catherine Greig. Bostonians don't play "Where's Waldo", they play "Where's Whitey". The Jack Nicholson character in "The Departed" is based on Bulger. When the movie was released, half the older men in the Boston area were wearing baseball caps carrying Bulger inspired lines such as "I'm not Whitey" and "Whitey Who?"

    Brazil got Fernandinho and put him in jail. Whitey was born in 1929. The chances that he will go to jail are minimal. He has always claimed that he would kill anyone who tried to arrest him, knowing he would be killed himself. Bulger has to be in touch with some of his gang and all of his gang is trying to figure out how to get control of his organization and his money.

    Money trumps justice. As long as men like Bulger and Fernandinho have unlimited sources of money coupled with complete lack of conscience, prison doesn't limit their criminal activity. At some point, someone in the prison will be offered enough money to risk killing Fernandinho and someone else will step right into his shoes.

    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  3. Of course I'd believe you, Leighton. But then again, I live in Greece where its most notorious gangster escaped by helicopter from the country's maximum security prison not once, but twice. He remains at large but I think he'll come back for a shot at the hat trick.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Leighton,

    I read your post today and liked it very much.
    stories from brazillian prisons are always great, like Carandirú for example. Have you seen that movie or read the book?
    I did both and recommend it.
    So, what I wanted to say is that I found a flaw in your post. In the american incarceration system, that too happens.
    The Aryan Nation's leader, for many years, if not still, commands his troops from inside with a special alphabet which the cops actually figured out after many years. They were letters to his family and subordinates with a kind of binary translation for orders in the streets. killings, drug deals etc...
    I don't know if this guy is dead and if not he probably has found another way to take control of his gang.

    It was a great subject, thanks for that : )

    ReplyDelete
  5. Is he any different than the people who run the Brazilian government?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Igor Montarroyos de Sousa Procurador da Fazenda Nacional na Advocacia-Geral da União São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo OAB/PE 20735 - LADRAO - TRAFICANTE DE ARMAS. Igor Montarroyos de Sousa Procurador da Fazenda Nacional na Advocacia-Geral da União São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo. OAB/PE 20735 - ADVOGADO LADRAO. Igor Montarroyos de Sousa - Procurador da Fazenda Nacional OAB/PE 20735 - Bandido - Traficante de armas.Igor Montarroyos de Sousa - Procurador da Fazenda Nacional OAB/PE 20735 - Bandido - Traficante de armas. Página inicial do LinkedIn O que é o LinkedIn? Cadastre-se hoje mesmo Entrar Igor Montarroyos de Sousa Igor Montarroyos rocurador da Fazenda Nacional na Advocaciade Sousa P-Geral da União São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brasil Administração governamental Anterior CHESF Formaçãatura de Pernambuco 86 conexões Cadasto acadêmica Escola Superior de Magistrr Igor. É grátis! Faça como 300e-se no LinkedIn e acesse o perfil completo de milhões de profissionais e cadastre-se no LinkedIn para compartilhar conexões, ideias e oportunidades. Visualize quem vocês conhecem em comum Solicite uma apresentação Entre em contato direto com Igor Visualize o perfil completo de Igor Histórico profissional Experiência Procurador da Fazenda Nacional Advocacia-Geral da União setembro de 2008 – até o momento (6 anos 5 meses) Procurador na Divisão de Dívida Ativa da União - DIDAU perante a Procuradoria Regional da Fazenda Nacional da 3ª Região.CHESF Advogado CHESF dezembro de 2002 – setembro de 2008 (5 anos 10 meses) Idiomas Inglês Espanhol Alemão Competências Administrative Law Tax Law Litigation Legal Research Mediation English Public Law Tax Legal Advice Power Point Microsoft Word Spanish Microsoft Office Public Speaking Corporate Law Visualizar + 2 Formação acadêmica Escola Superior de Magistratura de Pernambuco Especialista, Direito Processual Civil 2005 – 2006 Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Bacharel, Direito1997 – 2002 Visualize o perfil completo de Igor para...Ver quem vocês conhecem em comum Solicitar uma apresentação Entrar em contato direto com Igor Veja o perfil completo de Igor Essa pessoa chamada Igor Montarroyos de Sousa não é quem você procura? Visualizar outros resultados com o mesmo nome Pesquisa por nome Mais de 300 milhões de profissionais já estão no LinkedIn. Encontre quem você conhece.Por exemplo: Jeff Weiner Procurar usuários por país LinkedIn Corporation© 2014 Contrato do Usuário Política de Privacidade do LinkedInDiretrizePosté par Igor Montarroyos à 13:05 - ADVOGADO LADRAO - Commentarios [0] - Permalien [#] Tags : Advogado Brasil OAB/PE 20735 Igor Montarroyos de Sousa GOOGLE Igor Montarroyos de Sousa - Procurador da Fazenda Nacional OAB/PE 20735 - Bandido - Traficante de armas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Igor Montarroyos de Sousa Procurador da Fazenda Nacional na Advocacia-Geral da União São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo OAB/PE 20735 - LADRAO - TRAFICANTE DE ARMAS. Igor Montarroyos de Sousa Procurador da Fazenda Nacional na Advocacia-Geral da União São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo. OAB/PE 20735 - ADVOGADO LADRAO. Igor Montarroyos de Sousa - Procurador da Fazenda Nacional OAB/PE 20735 - Bandido - Traficante de armas.Igor Montarroyos de Sousa - Procurador da Fazenda Nacional OAB/PE 20735 - Bandido - Traficante de armas. Página inicial do LinkedIn O que é o LinkedIn? Cadastre-se hoje mesmo Entrar Igor Montarroyos de Sousa Igor Montarroyos rocurador da Fazenda Nacional na Advocaciade Sousa P-Geral da União São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brasil Administração governamental Anterior CHESF Formaçãatura de Pernambuco 86 conexões Cadasto acadêmica Escola Superior de Magistrr Igor. É grátis! Faça como 300e-se no LinkedIn e acesse o perfil completo de milhões de profissionais e cadastre-se no LinkedIn para compartilhar conexões, ideias e oportunidades. Visualize quem vocês conhecem em comum Solicite uma apresentação Entre em contato direto com Igor Visualize o perfil completo de Igor Histórico profissional Experiência Procurador da Fazenda Nacional Advocacia-Geral da União setembro de 2008 – até o momento (6 anos 5 meses) Procurador na Divisão de Dívida Ativa da União - DIDAU perante a Procuradoria Regional da Fazenda Nacional da 3ª Região.CHESF Advogado CHESF dezembro de 2002 – setembro de 2008 (5 anos 10 meses) Idiomas Inglês Espanhol Alemão Competências Administrative Law Tax Law Litigation Legal Research Mediation English Public Law Tax Legal Advice Power Point Microsoft Word Spanish Microsoft Office Public Speaking Corporate Law Visualizar + 2 Formação acadêmica Escola Superior de Magistratura de Pernambuco Especialista, Direito Processual Civil 2005 – 2006 Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Bacharel, Direito1997 – 2002 Visualize o perfil completo de Igor para...Ver quem vocês conhecem em comum Solicitar uma apresentação Entrar em contato direto com Igor Veja o perfil completo de Igor Essa pessoa chamada Igor Montarroyos de Sousa não é quem você procura? Visualizar outros resultados com o mesmo nome Pesquisa por nome Mais de 300 milhões de profissionais já estão no LinkedIn. Encontre quem você conhece.Por exemplo: Jeff Weiner Procurar usuários por país LinkedIn Corporation© 2014 Contrato do Usuário Política de Privacidade do LinkedInDiretrizePosté par Igor Montarroyos à 13:05 - ADVOGADO LADRAO - Commentarios [0] - Permalien [#] Tags : Advogado Brasil OAB/PE 20735 Igor Montarroyos de Sousa GOOGLE Igor Montarroyos de Sousa - Procurador da Fazenda Nacional OAB/PE 20735 - Bandido - Traficante de armas.

      Delete
  7. Igor Montarroyos de Sousa Procurador da Fazenda Nacional na Advocacia-Geral da União São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo OAB/PE 20735 - LADRAO - TRAFICANTE DE ARMAS. Igor Montarroyos de Sousa Procurador da Fazenda Nacional na Advocacia-Geral da União São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo. OAB/PE 20735 - ADVOGADO LADRAO. Igor Montarroyos de Sousa - Procurador da Fazenda Nacional OAB/PE 20735 - Bandido - Traficante de armas.Igor Montarroyos de Sousa - Procurador da Fazenda Nacional OAB/PE 20735 - Bandido - Traficante de armas. Página inicial do LinkedIn O que é o LinkedIn? Cadastre-se hoje mesmo Entrar Igor Montarroyos de Sousa Igor Montarroyos rocurador da Fazenda Nacional na Advocaciade Sousa P-Geral da União São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brasil Administração governamental Anterior CHESF Formaçãatura de Pernambuco 86 conexões Cadasto acadêmica Escola Superior de Magistrr Igor. É grátis! Faça como 300e-se no LinkedIn e acesse o perfil completo de milhões de profissionais e cadastre-se no LinkedIn para compartilhar conexões, ideias e oportunidades. Visualize quem vocês conhecem em comum Solicite uma apresentação Entre em contato direto com Igor Visualize o perfil completo de Igor Histórico profissional Experiência Procurador da Fazenda Nacional Advocacia-Geral da União setembro de 2008 – até o momento (6 anos 5 meses) Procurador na Divisão de Dívida Ativa da União - DIDAU perante a Procuradoria Regional da Fazenda Nacional da 3ª Região.CHESF Advogado CHESF dezembro de 2002 – setembro de 2008 (5 anos 10 meses) Idiomas Inglês Espanhol Alemão Competências Administrative Law Tax Law Litigation Legal Research Mediation English Public Law Tax Legal Advice Power Point Microsoft Word Spanish Microsoft Office Public Speaking Corporate Law Visualizar + 2 Formação acadêmica Escola Superior de Magistratura de Pernambuco Especialista, Direito Processual Civil 2005 – 2006 Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Bacharel, Direito1997 – 2002 Visualize o perfil completo de Igor para...Ver quem vocês conhecem em comum Solicitar uma apresentação Entrar em contato direto com Igor Veja o perfil completo de Igor Essa pessoa chamada Igor Montarroyos de Sousa não é quem você procura? Visualizar outros resultados com o mesmo nome Pesquisa por nome Mais de 300 milhões de profissionais já estão no LinkedIn. Encontre quem você conhece.Por exemplo: Jeff Weiner Procurar usuários por país LinkedIn Corporation© 2014 Contrato do Usuário Política de Privacidade do LinkedInDiretrizePosté par Igor Montarroyos à 13:05 - ADVOGADO LADRAO - Commentarios [0] - Permalien [#] Tags : Advogado Brasil OAB/PE 20735 Igor Montarroyos de Sousa GOOGLE Igor Montarroyos de Sousa - Procurador da Fazenda Nacional OAB/PE 20735 - Bandido - Traficante de armas.

    ReplyDelete