Antônio Francisco Bonfim Lopes
| Antônio Francisco Bonfim Lopes | |
|---|---|
| Born |
May 24, 1976 Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Other names |
"Nem" "Nem of Rocinha" "Dono do Morro" ("King of the Hill") |
| Predecessor | Orlando Jose Rodrigues |
| Criminal charge | Drug trafficking and smuggling |
| Criminal penalty | 12 years imprisonment |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated |
| Spouse(s) | Fabiana Escobar |
Antônio Francisco Bonfim Lopes (born May 24, 1976), also known as "Nem", is a Brazilian drug lord and one of the leaders of "Amigos dos Amigos". Lopes had a net worth of R$100 million ($60 million), was the undisputed head of all drug trafficking operations in Rocinha and branded by the Brazilian government as "Public Enemy #1".[1]
Early life
Lopes was born in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. His parents moved from Paraíba, a city in northern Brazil to escape the poverty there. Before he became involved in drug trafficking, Lopes worked as a delivery boy for a magazine company.[2]
Criminal career
Lopes became an enforcer and security guard for the leader of Amigos dos Amigos, Erismar Rodrigues Moreira, also known as "'Bem-Te-Vi'". When Moreira was killed in 2005, Lopes murdered Moreira's successor, Orlando Jose Rodrigues, and seized power as the new leader in 2007.[3] Under his reign over Rocinha, Lopes had 120 armed hitmen and was responsible for more than 60% of consumed cocaine in Rio.[4] He had connections with Bolivian cocaine dealers and brought 200 kilograms of cocaine from Bolivia per month.[5] Lopes lived in a luxurious 3-story mansion in Rio and earned a reputation for his relationships with many celebrities and his parties.
2011 arrest
On November 10, 2011, police arrested Lopes, who was hiding inside a Toyota Corolla, heading out of Rocinha.[6] Lopes attempted to bribe the police $570,000 but they refused, while the driver claimed diplomatic immunity.[7] Lopes was sentenced to 12 years in a maximum-security prison for drug charges. Following his arrest, Rocinha was occupied by a Pacifying Police Unit.[8]
References
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/13/rio-favel-master-nem-of-rocinha-drug-lord-champion-of-the-poor
- ↑ http://www.economist.com/news/books-and-arts/21664050-how-ant-nio-francisco-bonfim-lopes-better-known-nem-rocinha-took-over-brazilian
- ↑ http://www.insightcrime.org/brazil-organized-crime-news/antonio-francisco-bonfim-lopes-nem
- ↑ http://www.vice.com/read/getting-to-know-the-drug-lord-who-controlled-rios-biggest-slum
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/nov/11/brazilian-drug-lord-car-boot
- ↑ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-21206389
- ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-latin-america-15670659
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/8882674/Antonio-Francisco-Bonfim-Lopes-profile-of-the-drugs-baron.html