Authorities from Brazil have re-arrested a local who is known to be one of the world's biggest arm smugglers. Identified as João Felipe Barbieri, the arm smuggler was convicted for being a part of a gang that smuggled hundreds of rifles from the United States, which were hidden among swimming pool equipment, BBC reported.

The Brazilian authorities retook Barbieri who escaped from prison, according to a report from Rio Times Online. The operation happened in the city of Niterói, located 9 kilometers away from Rio.

Brazil Police Re-Arrests Arm Smuggler

Barbieri was apprehended without any incident in his hideout located in Rio de Janeiro's Metropolitan area, Mail Online reported.

The authorities in Brazil launched a manhunt for the arm smuggler in January, after the federal court in Rio de Janeiro was notified about Barbieri's early release. BBC noted that Barbieri was able to free himself from the high-security prison in November 2020. Barbieri allegedly forged a court document ordering his early release.

Apart from Barbieri, the arm smuggler's accomplice who also used the forged documents to get out of prison, Joāo Roza was also apprehended by the authorities.

The request for a manhunt was made by Judge Marcelo Granado. Granado was the judge who presided the trial.

Meanwhile, Police Chief Mauro César noted that Barbieri ran out of money and the arm smuggler returned to Rio to claim an estimated amount of $90,000. César shared the information during a news conference after Barbieri's arrest. Mail Online emphasized that the amount was owed by drug smugglers to the arm smuggler.

Arm Smuggler's Arrest in 2017

Barbieri was sentenced to serve a total of 27 years in prison in 2017. However, he has only rendered a total of three years because he forged court documents. The investigators also managed to find out that the forged documents used by Barbieri have a signature of a civil police officer who does not exist.

After his release, Barbieri became on the run and stayed at three different states. César noted that the arm smuggler was able to avoid the capture as he moved between Sāo Paulo, Espírito Santo, and Minas Geiras.

Meanwhile, Roza was reported to leave the prison earlier than Barbieri. Mail Online pointed out that Roza left the prison on October 14, 2020. The investigators noted that the court documents used by both of the fugitives have the same code of processing number.

"The recapture of these federal prisoners proves to be extremely important," said Attorney General Eduardo Benones. Benones furthered that the recapture of the fugitives also proves the "prestige and effectiveness" of criminal executions in Rio de Janeiro.

Barbieri is also known as the stepson of a gang leader who is famous as the Lord of Weapons. The gang was caught in 2017 after a container that has 60 military-style rifles were intercepted at an airport in Rio, Brazil. Meanwhile, the arm smuggler's stepfather, identified as Frederick Barbieri, was also arrested in 2017 where he serves a 13-year prison sentence in Miami.

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