Antônio Francisco Bonfim Lopes

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]

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