Adriano Magalhães da Nóbrega, known as “Capitão Adriano,” was a former officer of Rio de Janeiro’s Military Police and a prominent figure in investigations into organized crime and militias in the state. His name became particularly associated with the militia operating in Rio das Pedras and with the criminal group known as the “Escritório do Crime.”
Adriano began his military police career in Rio de Janeiro and later served in the Special Police Operations Battalion, known as BOPE. After leaving active service, his name increasingly appeared in investigations concerning armed criminal organizations operating in Rio's western region.
According to the Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor's Office, Adriano was identified as the leader of the Rio das Pedras militia. Prosecutors also described him as having significant influence over the group known as the “Escritório do Crime,” which investigators associated with contract killings and other violent criminal activity. These descriptions come from prosecutorial investigations and should be distinguished from individual allegations that were never resolved by a final conviction against Adriano himself.
The investigation known as Operation Intocáveis became one of the principal judicial cases involving Adriano and other alleged members of the Rio das Pedras militia. The Public Prosecutor's Office filed charges against numerous defendants, describing a structure that allegedly combined territorial control, illegal economic activities and violence.
Adriano's name also appeared in investigations into the so-called “Escritório do Crime.” In 2021, the MPRJ stated that he had exercised strong influence over the group during Operation Tânatos. Years later, in September 2026, prosecutors obtained the conviction of former military police officer João Luiz da Silva, known as “Gago,” for the murder of Marcelo Diotti. According to the MPRJ, Gago was a member of the “Escritório do Crime,” which investigations had identified as being headed by Adriano.
Financial investigations also followed Adriano's network. In March 2021, the MPRJ launched Operation Gárgula against people accused of managing money and assets connected to his organization. Prosecutors alleged that members of the network were involved in criminal association, loan-sharking and money laundering, and sought the seizure of assets and the blocking of approximately 8.4 million Brazilian reais.
Adriano's legal history was interrupted by his death. He was killed on February 9, 2020, in Esplanada, Bahia, during an operation intended to arrest him. At the time, he was wanted under an arrest warrant connected to the investigations against him.
An investigation into the circumstances of his death later concluded that there had been an armed confrontation and rejected allegations that he had been executed or tortured after being captured. According to the investigation reported by UOL, forensic findings indicated that Adriano had fired shots during the confrontation.
Because Adriano died before the conclusion of the major criminal proceedings involving him, his name appears in judicial documents primarily as an investigated or accused individual rather than as someone convicted in those cases. This distinction is important when describing his alleged role in the organizations investigated by Brazilian authorities.
In March 2026, the MPRJ announced the “Operação Legado,” targeting a criminal organization that prosecutors said had been led by Adriano and later succeeded by other individuals. The investigation included allegations involving money laundering and the operation of an organization associated with his former network.
Adriano Magalhães da Nóbrega therefore remains a significant figure in the documented history of Rio de Janeiro's militia investigations. His career moved from the Military Police to the center of major organized-crime investigations, while his death in Bahia ended the possibility of a final criminal judgment against him in the principal cases concerning his alleged leadership.
SOURCES
Ministério Público do Estado do Rio de Janeiro — MPRJ
Operation Gárgula and investigations into Adriano da Nóbrega
Ministério Público do Estado do Rio de Janeiro — MPRJ
Operation Intocáveis: criminal proceedings involving Adriano da Nóbrega
Ministério Público do Estado do Rio de Janeiro — MPRJ
2026: Operation Legado and the organization associated with Adriano
Ministério Público do Estado do Rio de Janeiro — MPRJ
2026 conviction of a member of the “Escritório do Crime”
UOL Notícias
Investigation into the death of Capitão Adriano
