Brazil's organised crime landscape has undergone a major transformation over the past three decades. Groups that originally emerged within the country's prison system have developed wider networks, extending their influence into communities, commercial activities and international markets.
Among these organisations, the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), also known as the First Capital Command, has become one of the most widely discussed criminal networks in Latin America.
Its expansion illustrates how prison-based organisations can evolve into complex networks that present challenges for law enforcement, financial regulators and institutions responsible for public accountability.
The Origins of the PCC: From Brazil’s Prison System to a Wider Network
The PCC was founded on August 31, 1993, inside Taubaté prison in São Paulo state. Its emergence followed a period of severe prison violence and unrest.
One major historical event was the Carandiru prison massacre of October 2, 1992, when Brazilian military police killed 111 prisoners during an operation at the Carandiru Penitentiary in São Paulo.
Research on the PCC's origins links the formation of the group to the prison environment and demands for better treatment and protection among inmates. What began as a prison-based association subsequently developed into a much larger criminal organisation.
The group initially gained influence within prisons before extending its reach beyond the correctional system.
How Large Is the PCC?
Estimates of the PCC's membership differ because investigators distinguish between formally initiated members, associates and people who maintain business relationships with the organisation.
A widely cited estimate places its formal membership at approximately 40,000. Some Brazilian investigations have also referred to a much larger network of collaborators and associates.
A UK Home Office country report, drawing on Brazilian sources, described estimates of approximately 40,000 formal members and 60,000 collaborators. These figures should not be added together as though every associate has the same status or level of involvement.
The Brazilian National Secretariat for Penal Policies (SENAPPEN) identified at least 88 criminal groups affecting the country's prison system in its 2024 organised-crime mapping exercise.
This demonstrates that Brazil's organised-crime environment is not limited to one organisation. It includes numerous regional groups, competing networks and local structures.
Marcola and the Leadership of the PCC
Marcos Willians Herbas Camacho, widely known as Marcola, is one of the most prominent figures associated with the PCC.
Investigative reporting has described him as the organisation's leading figure, despite his imprisonment. His continued prominence illustrates the difficulty authorities can face when attempting to dismantle networks whose leadership and influence are not limited to individuals operating outside prison.
In February 2026, São Paulo police intelligence produced an organisational chart identifying 100 senior figures and associates connected to the PCC. According to the report, 61 of the listed individuals were imprisoned.
The chart also indicated that the organisation had distinct areas of responsibility, including prison-related coordination, external activities, international connections, financial oversight and communications.
These findings suggest that the network has a more complex organisational structure than a conventional street gang. However, the chart represents law-enforcement intelligence and should be understood in that context, rather than as a judicial finding against every person named.
The Comando Vermelho: Brazil’s Other Major Criminal Organisation
The PCC is not the only major criminal organisation operating in Brazil.
The Comando Vermelho (CV), also known as the Red Command, originated in Rio de Janeiro prisons during the 1970s. It initially developed as a prisoner self-protection group before expanding into wider criminal activity.
During the 1980s, the organisation became increasingly involved in the cocaine trade and developed influence in several communities in Rio de Janeiro.
The PCC is historically associated with São Paulo, while the Comando Vermelho has its principal base in Rio de Janeiro. Both organisations have expanded beyond their original locations and developed connections in other Brazilian states and abroad.
Brazilian authorities and researchers also identify numerous smaller criminal groups and militias, making the country's organised-crime landscape diverse and regionally complex.
Why Organised Crime Is No Longer Only a Street-Level Issue
One of the most important developments in Brazil is the growing attention paid to the financial and commercial dimensions of organised crime.
Investigations have examined suspected criminal links with sectors such as fuel distribution, real estate, financial services and other legitimate commercial activities.
This matters because the effects of organised crime can extend beyond public safety. Suspected financial infiltration can create risks for legitimate businesses, investors, employees, consumers and public revenue.
Authorities have increasingly focused on financial investigations, tax-related irregularities and suspected money laundering alongside conventional criminal investigations.
Fuel Businesses and the Carbono Oculto Investigations
Brazil's Operation Carbono Oculto brought attention to suspected links between organised crime and parts of the fuel distribution sector.
In August 2025, Brazilian authorities announced an investigation involving fuel businesses and financial structures allegedly used to move and conceal funds. Official information reported that a network of fuel stations had processed approximately R$52 billion in transactions between 2020 and 2024.
Authorities also reported concerns involving suspected tax evasion, fuel-related irregularities and the use of financial technology companies in the movement of funds.
Subsequent phases of the investigation examined additional suspected connections involving fintech companies, investment structures and the acquisition of fuel-sector businesses.
In May 2026, Brazilian authorities announced the Fluxo Oculto operation, reporting that six additional fintech companies under investigation had allegedly operated as parallel banking structures and moved more than R$26 billion over four years.
These figures relate to financial flows identified or examined in investigations. They should not be interpreted as proof that the entire amount represented criminal proceeds or that every company involved was guilty of wrongdoing.
October 2026: Further Investigation into Fuel-Station Networks
The financial dimension of organised crime remained a focus of Brazilian authorities in October 2026.
On October 15, the Federal Police launched the eighth phase of Operation Unha e Carne in Rio de Janeiro. According to the Federal Police, the investigation concerned an armed criminal organisation suspected of using a network of fuel stations in the metropolitan region as a platform for money laundering.
The Federal Police said the group under investigation had moved more than R$7.6 billion, according to a report from Brazil's Council for Financial Activities Control (COAF).
The operation involved preventive arrest warrants and searches across several municipalities. The authorities also reported suspected participation by public officials and institutional connections.
These are allegations under investigation and must not be presented as established findings of guilt.
The International Reach of Brazil’s Criminal Networks
Brazil's location, major ports and connections with neighbouring countries make it an important part of regional and international organised-crime investigations.
The PCC has developed international connections beyond Brazil, while the Comando Vermelho also maintains influence outside its original home region.
A 2024 UK government fact-finding report cited Brazilian sources describing PCC activity in multiple countries. The report also highlighted links with international criminal networks and the role of cross-border cooperation in investigating organised crime.
The international dimension creates challenges for authorities because investigations may involve multiple jurisdictions, different legal systems and complex financial relationships.
What This Means for Businesses, Financial Institutions and Regulators
The expansion of organised crime into commercial and financial environments raises important compliance concerns.
Businesses and financial institutions may face risks involving:
Undisclosed beneficial ownership and complex corporate structures.
Transactions with unclear commercial purposes.
Potential exposure to money laundering and tax-related offences.
Reputational and regulatory risks arising from third-party relationships.
Cross-border transactions that require stronger due diligence and record-keeping.
Effective compliance requires transparent ownership records, appropriate transaction monitoring, reliable accounting documentation and independent review of material business relationships.
These safeguards are important not only for detecting potential wrongdoing but also for protecting legitimate businesses from financial and regulatory exposure.
Conclusion
The evolution of the PCC demonstrates how organised crime in Brazil has moved beyond its original prison-based environment and developed wider national and international connections.
The role of Marcola, the continued influence of the Comando Vermelho, the identification of numerous criminal groups and investigations into suspected financial activity all illustrate the scale and complexity of the challenge.
Recent investigations involving fuel businesses and financial institutions also highlight the importance of addressing the financial structures that may support organised crime.
For governments, businesses and financial institutions, the response requires effective law enforcement, transparent corporate practices, financial oversight and cooperation across jurisdictions.
For organisations seeking to understand complex financial irregularities, suspicious transactions and corporate exposure, financial investigation is an important area of professional support.
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